A former employee at Humansdorp Veterinary Clinic, Lana Nell (46), was slammed with a 15-year direct imprisonment sentence by the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on June 14, for stealing more than R4.8 million from her employer.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, Nell was arrested by the Gqeberha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks for allegations of fraud alternatively theft on June 20, 2023.
She said during the period between January 2018 and February 2023, Nell worked in the financial department of the Veterinary Clinic in Humansdorp where she embezzled an exorbitant amount of cash from the employer.
“Theft was suspected when one of the suppliers complained about late payment,” said Mgolodela.
She said the matter was reported to the Hawks for probing in February 2023.
“The expert investigation skills of the Hawks confirmed that Nell misappropriated cash to the value of more than R4.8 million that was transferred to her personal account over a period of five years hence her arrest on June 20, 2023, said Mgolodela.
She said Nell made her first appearance in the Humansdorp District Court on the day of her arrest where she was remanded in custody for a formal bail application on June 26, 2023.
She was then released on bail. .
Mgolodela said the matter was transferred to the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court where Nell made a series of court appearances until her conviction on March 7, 2024.
She was then sentenced on June 14.
“Nell will undergo 15 years’ incarceration for fraud alternatively theft with no option of a fine and is further declared unfit to possess a firearm,” said Mgolodela.
The Provincial Head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, is pleased with the sentence meted out to the offender.
