Used school funds to buy a Golf GTI and feed gambling addiction, court hears

In a disturbing case that has outraged many in the Pretoria community, a former HR manager at New Hope School has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for defrauding the institution of more than R6 million. The school serves children with special educational needs, many of whom rely on wheelchairs and specialised support.

Ralton Christopher Fischer, 44, appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday. He was convicted of 11 counts of fraud committed between July 2018 and April 2022. Six years of his sentence have been suspended for five years—provided he doesn’t commit similar offences during that period.

A Gambling Habit That Cost the School Dearly

Fischer’s responsibilities at the school included overseeing salary payments for staff employed by the School Governing Body (SGB). But instead of managing these funds with integrity, he used his position to channel school money into seven personal bank accounts, across banks like ABSA, FNB, Capitec and Discovery.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Fischer’s fraud came to light when he accidentally forwarded suspicious documents to a colleague, who raised the alarm. A deeper investigation found that he had invented ghost employees to siphon money into his accounts.

He later pleaded guilty, admitting that he used the stolen money to support a gambling addiction and to buy a Volkswagen Golf GTI worth R150,000.

‘Lack of Remorse’ and Abuse of Trust

Despite pleading for leniency and highlighting his responsibilities as a father of four, two of whom have disabilities, Fischer showed little remorse, according to the state.

State prosecutor Abram Machitela urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, arguing that Fischer’s actions weren’t just the result of addiction, but also “selfishness and greed.”

“The school has not only been robbed of money, it now faces a tax liability of over R500,000 as a direct result of Fischer’s fraud,” said NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

A Betrayal of the Most Vulnerable

Presiding Magistrate Du Preez agreed with the state’s argument. He said Fischer’s guilty plea appeared to be a tactical move due to the strength of the prosecution’s case, rather than a genuine sign of remorse.

“This wasn’t just fraud, it was a betrayal of children with special needs,” the court heard. “The only suitable punishment is direct imprisonment.”

Public Reaction and Social Commentary

News of the sentence has sparked anger and heartbreak online, with many South Africans calling for stricter oversight in school governance. On X (formerly Twitter), users expressed frustration that institutions meant to protect vulnerable learners continue to be targeted by trusted officials.

“Imagine stealing from disabled children. This man deserves every year in that jail,” one user wrote.

Zero Tolerance for White-Collar Crime

The NPA has welcomed the outcome, saying it sends a clear message that abusing public trust, especially in environments that serve the most vulnerable, will not go unpunished.

“This case highlights the NPA’s zero tolerance for white-collar crime and our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society,” Mahanjana added.

{Source: The Citizen}

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