After more than seven years, Leonie Stella Stiemie (53) has been found guilty by the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on two counts of theft for stealing from an elderly farmer. Her case has been remanded to February 11, 2025, for sentencing proceedings.
Tyali said the client has since passed on during the course of the trial which was marred by delays.
He revealed that the conviction stems from events between 2011 and February 2015, when the late Andries David Renken, an 87-year-old farmer from Kirkwood, was convinced by Stiemie to store R400,000 in a Deeds Box at FNB.
He further revealed: “Renken had kept the cash, which was paid to him for his farming business operations, at home but found that as being unsafe. Trusting Stiemie, who regularly assisted him at the bank, he agreed to store the funds in the FNB Deeds Box.
“Clients are procedurally given two keys, but Renken never received any keys nor was he asked to sign a custody agreement.”
According to Tyali, Renken enquired about the money, and Stiemie claimed she had invested half of it on his behalf.
“In February 2015, Renken visited the branch again, only to find that Stiemie was no longer employed there. Upon hearing about his visit, Stiemie went to Renken’s home. Initially, she claimed that the money had been stolen during a robbery at the branch.
“However, it was later confirmed that no boxes had been stolen.
“After admitting to taking the money, Stiemie offered to repay it in instalments of R666 per month. Renken rejected her offer, citing the number “666” as the “devil’s number.”
“Stiemie only partially repaid Renken, returning R21 000. Further investigation revealed that a deposit slip related to the theft had been forged, with a handwriting analyst for the state confirming that the signature was Stiemie’s, not Renken’s,” Tyali highlighted.
Tyali stated: “During trial Stiemie denied making arrangements to repay the elderly man, claiming that she had been under heavy medication when she visited the victim’s home.
“Renken, as a single witness, played a key role in the conviction. His testimony, despite his advanced age, was admitted as truthful and the only probable version. The trial was delayed for three years of postponements by the defence to procure a handwriting specialist to counter the state’s version. The prosecutor who initially handled the case also passed on in 2021.”
Tyali revealed Renken passed away before the judgment was delivered.
“The case has been remanded to February 2025 11, for sentencing proceedings.
“Steimie was granted R1,000 bail pending the sentence.
“She is required to report to the Kirkwood SAPS twice a week, surrender her travel documents to the NPA, and is prevented from applying for any further travel documents.”
