A bookkeeper who stole R4.5 million from her employer for a "better life for her family", is to be sentenced.

Tania Rose Korker, 47, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft in the

Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday.

She told the court this better life had included luxury cars, holidays and expensive private schooling for her husband and their young children.

She said she and her family had lived "comfortably" on her salary of R21,000.

Korker was employed by Trilink Dynamics CC. As its bookkeeper, she channelled VAT and income tax payments, meant for the SA Revenue Service (Sars), into her own bank account.

The court heard that the company faced liquidation unless it could

reach a compromise with Sars for the payment of the R4.5m.

Sars had already rejected one compromise offered by the company,

and if the second was also rejected, liquidation would be the next step.

Prosecutor Jacques Smith called for a substantial prison sentence, on

the grounds that Korker had abused a position of trust.

She had also persisted with the embezzlement for three years, during which she had ample time to reflect on her actions.

He said a sentence of correctional supervision, involving house

arrest and community service, but excluding prison, as suggested by defence attorney Gary Jansen, was "hopelessly inappropriate".

He said the embezzlement had jeopardised the jobs of 350 staff

members, who would be left destitute if the company were forced into

liquidation.

The embezzlement came to light when the bank put a "hold" on the company's account, because of a Sars action.

The "hold" had prevented the company drawing funds for salaries.

Jansen told the court Korker had repaid R2.8m, but was unable to

repay more.

She had pleaded guilty, and had admitted to having been motivated

by greed, he said.