A FORMER lawyer who was practising at Vukani Attorneys in Mbombela was arrested by the Hawks’ team based in that city on Friday, 19 March for theft of trust funds.
According to Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, the 37-year-old suspect was appointed by clients and submitted claims on their behalf to the Road Accident Fund, Master of High Court and Estate Office.
“He allegedly pocketed the monies upon receiving them, as well as monies for litigation after a client approached him to appoint a private investigator to conduct a private investigation on her behalf. The client is said to have paid the monies into the lawyer’s trust account.”
Sekgotodi said the accused allegedly stole a total amount of R981 452 actual loss, while claims to the total value of R1 300 000 potential loss was stopped by the Fidelity Fund.
“The suspect was arrested and released on R5 000 bail and the case was postponed to 6 April at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court,” she said.
