AFTER a successful Road Accident Fund (RAF) claim, law firm Mmela and Associates Inc was supposed to pay R1,8 million to the victim of a car accident.
But when it came, the lawyers, entrusted to assist victims of accidents with such claims, allegedly pocketed the money.
On Wednesday, 21 September, Mantladi Jo-Anne Mmela (41) appeared in the Middelburg Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga for fraud and theft of payment. This after being arrested by the Middelburg-based Hawks’ serious commercial crimes unit on Tuesday.
Hawks spokeswoman Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said in a statement: “It’s alleged that last May, the complainant appointed Mmela and Associates Inc to assist in claiming road accident funds on behalf of his minor child, who was involved in a serious accident. Mmela submitted a claim and it was successful.”
Sekgotodi added that on 8 May, R1,8 million was paid into the trust account of the firm.
“However, the lawyer did not give the money to the client. Instead, she created a false reference as if the money had been paid over. The complainant was informed that the money was paid to the trust account. He further made inquiries with the firm, and Mmela was notified. She promised to make the payment to the complainant, but did not do as promised. Then she left for Tshwane.”
The matter was reported to the Hawks in January and during investigation, it was revealed that the attorney had transferred the money into another account. A warrant of arrest was issued, and she was arrested at her hiding place in Tshwane.
“The accused was released on R25 000 bail, on condition that she hand over her travelling documents. The case was postponed to 5 December for possible pretrial and representation hearing. Further arrest is imminent,” said Sekgotodi.
