BLOEMFONTEIN, FREE STATE – A former Shoprite employee has been sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment after being found guilty of stealing R400 000 from her workplace.

The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that Dimakatso Tshipane was sentenced by the Bloemfontein Regional Court on 9 April 2026.

Tshipane, who worked in the cash office at a Shoprite store in Bloemfontein, committed the offence on 10 February 2024 while on duty. According to evidence presented in court, she took the money during her shift and left before the end of the workday.

An internal audit later confirmed the financial loss, and despite efforts, the stolen funds were not recovered.

After being traced, Tshipane was arrested on 13 March 2024 and later appeared in court. She pleaded guilty on 30 October 2025 after facing overwhelming evidence presented by the State.

In handing down the sentence, the court highlighted the seriousness of crimes involving abuse of trust, noting that such actions not only cause financial loss but also undermine workplace integrity.

The NPA said the sentence sends a strong message that individuals who abuse positions of trust will face serious consequences, reaffirming its commitment to tackling economic crimes and ensuring accountability.

-The VIP Team 

-NPA