The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced a former Human Resources Manager at New Hope School to six years’ direct imprisonment for defrauding the institution of R6 million.
Christopher Fischer was convicted on 11 counts of fraud, committed between July 2018 and April 2022, during his time at the school for learners with special needs.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Fischer abused his position by opening multiple bank accounts in his name and making fraudulent payments to fictitious employees. His responsibilities included overseeing salary payments for staff appointed by the School Governing Body (SGB).
NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahajana said Fischer used the stolen funds to fuel a gambling addiction and purchase luxury items, including a Volkswagen Golf GTI worth R150,000.
“In court, he pleaded for leniency, but the state argued for a custodial sentence, given the serious breach of trust and the impact on a vulnerable institution,” Mahajana added.
The court agreed with the NPA, handing Fischer a six-year prison sentence with no option of a fine.