Otto van Tonder, who was last week tracked to the Free State town of Virginia, was yesterday formally processed at the Vosloorus police station. Otto van Tonder, who was last week tracked to the Free State town of Virginia, was yesterday formally processed at the Vosloorus police station. 

He was later released from the cells based on an informal deal he agreed to with the victim. It is our opinion that the majority of "informal deals" concluded between victims and alleged fraudsters will never be honored and cannot be enforced.

The dangers of making such deals is that it can turn a blatantly criminal case into a civil case. Once a victim withdraws a case, it would be exceptionally difficult to get the case reopened and reenrolled. 

Private investigators and SAPS should not be misused as "debt collectors" because that is not our role.

A victim should allow for the investigation and prosecution to proceed. The Criminal Procedure Act allows, under certain conditions, for financial restitution should the suspect be found guilty, plead guilty or enter into a plea agreement.