Financial manager, life partner hit with hefty sentences for stealing R15.4m from employer

CAPE TOWN - A financial manager and his life partner have been handed hefty sentences by the Bellville Commercial Crimes Court for stealing millions of rands from their employer.

David Marais and his life partner, Brian Wilson, were sentenced to 12 and six years in prison respectively for stealing more than R15.4 million from the company between 2008 and 2019.

Fifty-five-year-old Marais was employed as the company's financial manager and his co-accused, Wilson, worked at the same company and reported to him.

Marais had access to the company's business bank account and was responsible for paying creditors and service providers.

The Bellville Commercial Crimes Court heard that between 2008 and 2019, Marais deposited more than R9 million into his co-accused's bank account and more than R5 million into his own.

He pretended to be paying creditors and service providers with the money but pocketed it for themselves.

Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said the couple fled the country but were traced and brought back to the country.
 
"The couple stole more than R15.4 million from their employer, spent the money on gambling before fleeing the country to Georgia. They were extradited back to South Africa, convicted and sentenced."

The State hopes the sentences will serve as a deterrent to others who would attempt to commit similar crimes.