FREE STATE – A 52-year-old former attorney is expected to appear before the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court on 07 April 2023 to face fraud charges, contravention of the Legal Practice Act, and contempt of court.
Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, a spokesperson for the Hawks, announced the charges against the suspect, who allegedly committed fraud against a complainant. The complainant had approached the suspect for legal representation in his divorce matter and paid the suspect R21,000. The suspect failed to inform the complainant that he was disbarred and could not practice as an attorney.
It was only in 2021 that the complainant learned that the suspect was disbarred in 2018. He then opened a case against the suspect and reported it to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Welkom. On 13 March 2023, the suspect was served with a summons.
The incident serves as a reminder to check the credentials of any lawyer or attorney you intend to hire. It is crucial to ensure that the person is legally certified to practice law and is not disbarred.
Tags: Sasolburg