Estate administrator convicted of R6m theft from deceased estates

Annene Krouwkam-Claasen was found guilty after pleading guilty to 14 counts of theft. Picture: Supplied. Annene Krouwkam-Claasen appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Friday, 31 July 2026, sitting in Gqeberha, where the sentence was handed down.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said that in her plea, Krouwkam-Claasen admitted that, during the period in question and in or near Humansdorp, she siphoned nearly R6 million from the bank accounts of 14 deceased estates. “The stolen funds were transferred into her personal bank account and the account of Ancoris Fiduciary Services (Pty) Ltd, a company of which she was the sole director.” Tiyali said the State proved that the funds were used for her personal benefit, in blatant breach of the fiduciary duties she owed to grieving families and vulnerable beneficiaries. Eastern Cape Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana welcomed the judgement.

“This is a betrayal of the highest order. Executors are entrusted with carrying out the final wishes of the deceased and safeguarding the interests of beneficiaries. Instead, the accused exploited her position of trust for personal enrichment.