Convicted fraudster, Hendrik Barnard, who served four years of a 10-year sentence, is allegedly back to his old tricks after being released on parole.
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Convicted Gqeberha conman, Hendrik Barnard, is believed to be hiding in Cape Town after being released on parole for allegedly defrauding people by pocketing their money after promising to sell their cars.
Barnard was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in 2018 for fraud but was released on parole after four years and has allegedly continued his criminal activity.
The Cape Argus caught-up with one of his alleged new victims, Thabo Chochoe, who claimed he lost R93 000 when Barnard disappeared with his car.
Chochoe lodged a criminal complaint against Barnard, but he has yet to be arrested.
Gqeberha police spokesperson, Sandra Janse van Rensburg, confirmed the case but said they could not comment further on the allegations.
“Gqeberha: SAPS Mount Road detectives did confirm that a case of fraud was opened by a Mr Thabo Chochoe as mentioned in the enquiry.
“However this is still an ongoing investigation so no further information can be shared with the media,” said Janse van Rensburg.
Chochoe, the acting Eastern Cape chairperson of the Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers' Union of SA (Demawusa), said when he befriended Barnard, he was unaware of his criminal background and was now warning the public to be aware of his alleged crimes.
“I befriended him when he fixed my car and said it needed an engine,” Chochoe said.
“I did not know who he was at the time, I only learnt about his past when I opened a case with the police and they informed me that he had been paroled.”
Chochoe allegedly paid Barnard R93 000 for a navy 2014 BMW in 2023 and he then disappeared without a trace.
He said after opening a case against Barnard, he allegedly made contact, begging him to withdraw the charge and promised to bring the vehicle the next day.
“He came to see me and said he wanted to draw-up a new sales contract and that he was in this year after he heard that I opened a case,” said Chochoe.
“But he did not bring the car the next day and I did not withdraw the case.
“I want to warn the public about his crimes.”
Barnard was allegedly operating from a car dealership and panel beater workshop in Kempston Road.
The Cape Argus tried to reach Barnard for comment via his cellphone but the cellphone number went straight to voicemail on Monday.
Social Justice Network said in a statement shared with the Cape Argus, that Barnard was released on early parole and may be hiding in Cape Town.
“Barnard was sentenced to 10 years in prison but released on parole after three or four years.
"Although Barnard is on parole, it is quite clear that the Department of Correctional Services is not keeping tabs on him because he seems to have continued to steal cars,” they said.
“The police say they have not re-arrested him and sent him back to prison to finish serving his sentence even though there are four cases against him because he has apparently fled to Cape Town.
“Thabo opened a criminal case against Barnard in January 2025.
“Barnard then promised to return the car but never did.
"His workshop at 313 Kempston Road has been closed since early March and Barnard is no longer answering his phone.
"The police have told Thabo that Barnard has defrauded at least other people in the same manner since he was released on parole.”
According to The Herald newspaper dated 2018, Barnard was described as a self-styled used car salesman who once swindled his own friend out of R150 000.
Barnard pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud and was wanted by the Hawks.
Cape Argus