HOOPSTAD, FREE STATE – Four members of a Hoopstad family and their business entity have appeared in court on charges of fraud, theft and money laundering relating to more than R900 000 allegedly siphoned from a fuel station business.

Pieter Smit (63), his wife, Elizabeth Smit (62), their sons Marnu Smit (32) and Estean Smit (30), as well as Landboudienste Diesel (Pty) Ltd, appeared in the Hoopstad Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 31 August 2026.

According to the complainant, he became interested in purchasing the R700 Truck Stop in Hoopstad in September 2021 after being informed by the then owner, Pieter Smit, that the business was for sale.

The complainant subsequently purchased the business for approximately R1,7 million and left Smit and his sons to manage its operations.

However, concerns were raised when the business failed to generate the expected profits.

The complainant allegedly conducted further investigations and discovered that more than R900 000 had been diverted through various bank accounts, including an account belonging to Landboudienste Diesel (Pty) Ltd.

One of Smit’s sons is reportedly a director of the company.

The matter was subsequently reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Welkom.

Following the investigation, warrants of arrest were authorised and executed against the accused on Monday.

The four individuals were each granted R5 000 bail.

The case was postponed to 16 September, when the accused are expected to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Bloemfontein.

The investigation is continuing.

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