A Shoprite employee has been sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment after stealing R400 000 while on duty.
The Bloemfontein Regional Court in the Free State handed down the sentence to Dimakatso Tshipane on 9 April 2026, following her conviction for theft.
Tshipane, who worked in the cash office at a Shoprite store in Bloemfontein, committed the offence on 10 February 2024 during her shift. According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane, she took the money and left before completing her workday.
An internal audit by Shoprite later confirmed the R400 000 loss. Despite efforts to recover the funds, none of the stolen money was retrieved.
After several attempts to locate her, Tshipane was arrested on 13 March 2024. She later appeared in court and, faced with overwhelming evidence, pleaded guilty on 30 October 2025. The State was represented by prosecutor Tiisetso Simon Kopa.
Sentencing was postponed to allow the court to consider arrangements for her minor children before a final ruling was made.
Delivering judgment, the court emphasised the seriousness of crimes involving abuse of trust, particularly in the workplace.
“Theft by employees not only causes financial loss but also erodes trust within organisations,” Senokoatsane said.
He added that the sentence sends a strong warning that abuse of positions of trust will be met with firm consequences.