Fake SPCA inspector handed 12-month prison sentence

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, when Du Preez applied for an inspector position at the SPCA, claiming to be a qualified NSPCA Inspector and registered Animal Welfare Assistant with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

He presented forged certificates.

"He also submitted what appeared to be an official NSPCA Inspector’s Certificate as proof of qualification," the SPCA said.

However, the SPCA’s verification process uncovered the deception.

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) confirmed that Du Preez had never completed inspector training, that the certificate he presented was fraudulent, and that the signatures of NSPCA officials had been forged.

Du Preez was arrested on September 3, 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 Mr. Du Preez was already under investigation by the South African Veterinary Council for multiple fraud-related matters, with several active criminal cases registered against him at police stations across Cape Town," said the SPCA.

On October 27, Du Preez entered into a plea and sentence agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The court sentenced him to 24 months’ imprisonment, with 12 months suspended for five years, for contravening the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act; 24 months’ imprisonment, with 12 months suspended for five years, for fraud and forgery, a R3000 fine or three months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, for contravening the SPCA Act by impersonating an inspector.

All sentences are to run concurrently, leaving Du Preez with an effective 12-month prison term.

Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse, who led the investigation, praised the swift action by the SPCA and law enforcement teams.

“This case highlights the importance of thorough vetting and verification processes,” said Pieterse.

“The SPCA carries legal powers of search, seizure, and arrest, and those powers can never be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Mr. Du Preez’s actions were deliberate, deceptive, and dangerous, but our team acted quickly to stop him before he could cause harm.”

He added that the conviction should serve as a deterrent to anyone attempting to exploit the trust placed in animal welfare institutions.

Cape Times