Ndudi Anyim
A former Personal Security Officer attached to the office of the Free State Premier, Ricardo Mettler, 43, has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for stealing a Pierneef Painting from the Premier’s office at OR Tambo building in Bloemfontein.
Security Watch Africa reports that the estimated value of the painting is valued at approximately R8 million.
It was learnt that Mettler, who appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court, perpetrated the crime around March 2018.
According to the Provincial Police Head, Major General Moodley, the matter was reported to the Police and a case was handed over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein.
Moodley said: “ The said painting was consequently seized by the Hawks at the auctioneers in Gauteng. Upon investigation, Mettler was arrested and served with summonses to appear in court in 2020. He then made several follow up appearances until his recent conviction.
“ The court has sentenced Mettler to 15 years imprisonment for theft and fraud. He was also sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for contravention of justices of peace and commissioners of oath (making false statement in an affidavit). Mettler will serve 16 years direct imprisonment.”
The Police Chief also applauded the team for the dedication they displayed during the investigation which ultimately brought the perpetrator to book.