BUSINESS NEWS
Housing fraudsters fined
Posted Fri, 16 May 2008

Twenty-six public servants were fined R2000 or R5000 on Thursday, with alternative six or 12-month jail sentences, for taking part in housing scams.

They appeared before Pietermaritzburg regional magistrate Paul Abelman.

They pleaded guilty, saying they had lied that they were unemployed and had obtained housing advances on the strength of the lies.

They must now repay the amounts they obtained, by means of monthly instalments.

A further 30 public servants are to appear in Pietermaritzburg in connection with similar scams each month until December.