FREE STATE – The Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the Free State, Brigadier Paulus Mbongo, welcomed the sentencing of two accused involved in a property fraud scheme who defrauded numerous victims of approximately R27 million.
Between 2014 and 2025, the accused advertised residential properties for sale, assisted buyers with viewings and offers to purchase, then instructed them to deposit the purchase funds into the director’s account. Despite receiving payment, the transactions were never finalised, leaving both buyers and sellers prejudiced while the funds were misappropriated for personal benefit.
On 4 August 2026, the Bethlehem Regional Court sentenced Peters Wilhemus Viljoen (52), director of Blue Key Properties, to 20 years direct imprisonment for multiple counts of fraud and six years imprisonment for contravening the Property Practitioners Act, to run concurrently. Samuel Kamolase Mofokeng (48), an estate agent, was sentenced to 18 years direct imprisonment for multiple counts of fraud and four years imprisonment for contravening the Property Practitioners Act, also to run concurrently.
Blue Key Properties Brokers was convicted on multiple counts of fraud and sentenced to a wholly suspended R3 million fine for five years, on condition that it is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period.