LEADING short-term insurer Santam Limited's continuous fight against fraud has yielded another conviction.

A Santam policyholder of Hartebeespoort, Pretoria - who tried to defraud Santam of R250 000 - has been sentenced to two years correctional supervision and a three-year jail sentence suspended for five years.

Debbie Annamarie Schuster (30), had arranged her own burglary, according to Bradley Curnow, Santam's manager: Forensic Services.

"Schuster was foiled when an independent assessor became suspicious with the inflated claim and questioned friends, relatives and neighbours.

"During the investigations, a truck driver who was hired to remove the furniture reported the fraud," says Curnow.

Schuster had previously made one other claim for a burglary about two years ago.

Once Santam had concluded its investigation, the matter was reported to the Brooklyn SAPS in November 2003 and the Commercial Branch, Pretoria led the investigation.

A month later the insured was convicted of fraud and is currently serving community service.

The SAIA fraud line can be phoned on 0800 25 26 27. Anonymity will be ensured.

THE 8th Duke of Wellington, his Grace the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Valerian Wellesley KG, LVO, OBE, MC, DL, will be visiting the town named after his famous forefather for the first time this week.

He will be enjoying several civic functions to mark this special visit including the launch of the Wellington Guild of Fine Wine at a gala ball on Saturday night.

The Duke's famous forefather defeated Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815 and was also famed for his comment to Fleet Street reporters "publish and be damned".

Tonight he and his wife will be the guests of Drakenstein Municipality.

The Duke will be honoured at a special function starting at 19:15 at Victoria Park and culminating in a reception at the town hall.

On Saturday the Wellington Guild of Fine Wine is to be launched with a midsummer gala charity ball at Diemersfontein with the duke as guest of honour.

The theme is "A Midsummer Night's Dream", so imagine an enchanted garden and magical appearances and the mood is set.

The evening includes a tasting of award-winning wines to complement the special dinner devised by Matthew Gordon of Haute Cabriere fame.

Dance music will be provided by the Johnny Cooper Big Band.

Tickets are R1000 per head or R9500 for a party of ten from Alison Barnard or Shantle van der Vent on 670-1488/5.

The proceeds are in aid of the Guild's educational trust and the Duke of Wellington Ball is planned to become an annual event, including a charity auction.

Projects to be supported, will include contributions to children affected by foetal alcohol syndrome. 

The Wellington Guild of Fine Wines has been formed by discerning winemakers in the region.

It is an initiative to jointly market, educate and co-operate in all facets of wine production in the region.

The Guild currently has ten estates as members. They are Clarius, Diemersfontein, Hildenbrand, Klein Optenhorst, Mischa, Nabygelegen, Napier, Siyabonga, Upland and Welgegund. 

All members subscribe to the Guild's standards of responsible management of the environment, the cellar and staff to ensure that wines are of premium quality, and that social and environmental issues are addressed.

THE Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate experienced a 300% increase in sales during the holiday season, in comparison to the same period last year.

During the months of November, December and January, it averaged sales of 18 plots per month - a phenomenal increase in the sales achieved the previous year.

According to Boschenmeer sales agent Reon van der Merwe, the market has been extremely buoyant in the Paarl Franschhoek valley.

"Over the past three months we have seen above average sales, and the current phases of Boschenmeer are now almost completely sold out.

"There is currently a selection of completed homes available from R1,4 million for two bedroom lock-up-an-go properties, to R3,9 million for large family homes, as well as townhouses from R750 000."

The townhouses are currently under construction and set for completion within the next few months.

Some of the available plots rate amongst the best on the estate: featuring unobstructed views over the largest lake and bird sanctuary, within walking distance of the new state-of-the-art clubhouse.

The last ten of these newly released plots are selling between R500 000 and R750 000.

The current phases of the Boschenmeer Estate are almost complete and more than half of the 300 homes have already been built. 

The new R15 million clubhouse will be in use within weeks, and the upgrade of the last section of the golf course, which is the only 27-hole golf course in the Western Cape, will be completed in March this year, making it the premier golfing destination in the Winelands.

'n OPENBARE vergadering oor die beoogde watersuiweringsaanleg op Paarlberg vind Donderdag 12 Februarie van 18:30 tot 20:00 plaas by die Paarl burgersentrum.

Ninham Shand Raadgewende Dienste is aangestel om die voorgeskrewwe omgewingsproses vir die konstruksie van die aanleg met 'n kapasiteit van 8 miljoen liter per dag te onderneem.

'n Konsep-omvangsverslag sal vir openbare insae by die Paarl Biblioteek en by die siviele ingenieursdienste van die Drakenstein Munisipaliteit beskikbaar wees vanaf 6 Februarie.

Dié verslag sal tydens die vergadering in die Drakenstein Kamer voorgelê word vir kommentaar.

Die periode vir openbare kommentaar strek tot Vrydag 7 Maart. Vir navrae, kontak Charl de Villiers of dr Andrew Spinks van Ninham Shand by tel 481-2400, faks 424-5588 of epos enviro@shands.co.za.