Investors fleeced in sheep-for-sale scam

A woman who pulled wool over the eyes of 10 people has appeared in court after convincing them to each part with R170 for months in the belief that they would have a  sheep delivered before Christmas.

Police said three complainants from Kamesh in the Eastern Cape opened a case of theft under false pretences after the 47-year-old suspect collected R170 each month from 10 women in the community.

"Payments were instituted in January 2018 and the last payment was done in November 2018," said police spokesperson Capt Gerda Swart.

"The suspect promised to buy a sheep for each client that would be delivered in December, after she had collected a total of R17,000 by the end of November.

"The clients never received their sheep and there was also no sign of them being reimbursed. A case was registered on Friday and the suspect was arrested the same day."

Desiree Reiners, 47, appeared in the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court on Monday. She was released on a warning and will appear in court again on March 6.

"Be cautious of transactions of this nature and rather purchase livestock from a registered dealer," Swart said.