KIMBERLEY – A 55-year-old woman, who was an admitted attorney and conveyancer practising in Kimberley, was found guilty on 14 counts of theft and 14 counts of money laundering.

The Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sentenced Leanne Katherine Sullaphen Macleod on Thursday 4 June. She was arrested in November 2025 by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team and made a brief appearance in the Kimberley Magistrates Court, where she was released on bail of R5 000, said Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi, spokesperson for the Hawks.

Between 2021 and 2024, the accused misappropriated client funds kept in the trust account. Such funds are held for the sole purpose and mandate of buying and selling houses on behalf of clients. The accused failed to fulfil some clients’ mandates or refund them from the trust account.

Macleod also unlawfully and intentionally misappropriated the clients’ funds for her own use by transferring money to her personal account. Various clients suffered a loss to the value of R4.6 million.

After several court appearances, the accused was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment on counts of theft, of which four years are suspended for a period of five years on condition that she is not convicted of theft during her period of suspension. She was further sentenced to six years’ direct imprisonment on counts of money laundering. Both sentences are to be served concurrently.

She will effectively serve 12 years’ direct imprisonment, said Mnisi.

The Northern Cape provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Stephen Mabuela, welcomed the conviction and applauded the investigating and prosecuting teams for excellent work done.

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