IOL News reports that a Cape Town man who impersonated a qualified SPCA inspector and forged official documents in a bid to secure employment has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after entering a plea agreement.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA confirmed the conviction and sentencing of Eric Victor Du Preez, who was found guilty of 32 counts, including fraud, forgery, and impersonation of an SPCA inspector. In August 2025, Du Preez applied for an inspector position at the SPCA, claiming to be a qualified NSPCA Inspector and registered Animal Welfare Assistant with the SA Veterinary Council (SAVC). He presented forged certificates as proof of qualification. However, the SPCA’s verification process uncovered the deception.
Du Preez was arrested on 3 September 2025, after attending an in-person interview, during which he continued to present falsified documents, including forged SAVC registration papers and Unisa academic records. It was later established that Du Preez was already under investigation by the SA Veterinary Council for multiple fraud-related matters. The court handed down multiple sentences, all of which will run concurrently, leaving Du Preez with an effective 12-month prison term. “This case highlights the importance of thorough vetting and verification processes,” said Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Wendy Dondolo at IOL News
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