WHITE RIVER – A 43-year-old disbarred legal practitioner is expected to appear in the White River Magistrates Court today – Friday, 22 May, facing charges of contravention of the Legal Practice Act and theft of significant amounts. The criminal case against her stems from an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Mpumalanga.
Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, Hawks spokesperson, said the suspect handed herself over to the elite crime-fighting unit yesterday, Thursday, accompanied by her legal representative.
“A warrant of arrest was issued and executed against her following an extensive investigation conducted by the Hawks. She spent the night behind bars,” he said.
Nkosi said the investigation uncovered prima facie evidence that the former attorney allegedly swindled three clients between 2018 and 2021. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused allegedly unlawfully benefited more than R2 million from three clients,” he said, adding that part of the allegedly misappropriated money was related to the deaths of two clients.
“According to information received, she allegedly benefited amounts of R1 634 190.02 and R452 513.75 from two separate complainants in unrelated matters involving a deceased son and a deceased wife, respectively. She further allegedly misappropriated funds from a trust account in a divorce matter, resulting in a loss of R116 927.00 suffered by another complainant,” said Nkosi. He said the investigation also revealed that the suspect was currently employed as an administrative officer at her father’s funeral parlour.
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