Magashule's ex-driver appears over alleged Pierneef painting theft

The case of theft against former Free State Premier Ace Magashule's ex-driver and bodyguard was postponed in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court yesterday after Ricardo Mettler (42) made his first appearance. Mettler is facing charges of fraud, money laundering, theft and defeating the ends of justice following the disappearance of a Pierneef painting worth millions of rands, says a News24 report. The painting is an artwork by legendary landscape artist Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef. It was alleged the painting disappeared between February and early March 2018. According to the indictment, Mettler, who has been working for Magashule for six years, assisted with the removal of personal assets belonging to the then-Premier, as Magashule had relinquished his position and was making way for his successor. During the inauguration of the new Premier Sisi Ntombela, Mettler met with Wei-Lin Hsu and allegedly asked him to lend him R2.1m. According to the state, Hsu then demanded collateral. The indictment states that Mettler later arrived at Hsu's premises with the painting wrapped in a blanket and told Hsu it was worth a lot of money. He allegedly told Hsu the painting was a gift from Magashule. The indictment stated Strauss & Co received a request from Nazlie Abrahams, acting on behalf of Hsu, to assess the painting, which it estimated to be worth between R6m and R8m, according to the state. Senior Free State government officials later allegedly contacted Strauss & Co about the whereabouts of the painting and warned that it belonged to the province. The indictment stated Mettler failed to provide proof in writing from the former Premier that he had given him the painting as a gift. The case was postponed to 25 March to allow Mettler to get a lawyer to represent him.