Suspected art thief in court for allegedly stealing Magashule’s ‘Pierneef’ painting

A 42-year-old suspected art thief has been hauled to the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, in Free State, for fraud after a Jacob Hendrik Pierneef painting, belonging to African National Congress’ (ANC) Secretary-General Ace Magashule, was found in his possession.

The Hawks are probing the disappearance of this R8m Pierneef from ANC SG #Magashule’s old offices in Bloemfontein. Read the @dailymaverick exclusive here: https://t.co/ElSZKSqiER pic.twitter.com/7mAHGR6oTj

— Pieter-Louis Myburgh (@PLMyburgh) October 22, 2018

How did the Pierneef painting disappear from Magashule’s office?

According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Lynda Steyn, Magashule, in March 2018, was the outgoing Free State Premier. The Pierneef painting was displayed in Magashule’s office at the OR Tambo Building, in Bloemfontein.

However, Steyn revealed, the painting mysteriously disappeared while Magashule was clearing up his office to take up his current position in the higher ranks of the ANC.

The movements of the Pierneef painting, from March 2018 when it was allegedly stolen, have been pinned on the 42-year-old suspect who, according to Steyn, “facing charges of fraud, theft, in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act; Contravention of Section 9 of the Justices of Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act, Act 16 of 1963; making false statements in an affidavit; and Contravention of Section 32 (13) of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999.”

Months went by with no updates on the painting. Towards the latter parts of 2018, the case was transferred over to the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) for further investigation.

The Hawks had determined that a security guard from the OR Tambo Building had handed the Pierneef painting over to a businessman, whose identity has been concealed.

It is not clear who took the painting for valuation but, according to Steyn, it was determined that the Pierneef painting was worth R8-million.

“The alleged stolen painting was taken to an Auctioneers firm in Gauteng during 2018, to determine the value and to be auctioned. The value of the painting was evaluated at approximately R8 million,” Steyn added.

Before handing the painting over to the businessman, the auctioneers alerted authorities and it was “later seized at the auctioneers by members of the Hawks.”

The 42-year-old alleged art thief has been subpoenaed to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 4 March 2020 for charges related to fraud and theft.