FORMER LAWYER ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF ROAD ACCIDENT FUNDS
MPUMALANGA – A former lawyer, Excellent Vukani Mthembu (37) who was practising at Vukani Attorneys Nelspruit Mbombela was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Nelspruit on Friday, 19 March 2022 for theft of trust funds.
The suspect who was practising as a lawyer at Nelspruit was appointed by his clients and submitted claims on their behalf to the Road Accident Fund, Master of High Court and Estate Office.
Upon receiving the monies, he allegedly pocketed them and also monies for litigation after a client approached him to appoint a private investigator to conduct a private investigation on her behalf. She is said to have paid the monies into the lawyer’s trust account.
The accused allegedly stole the total amount of R981452-54 actual loss whilst claims to the total value of R1300000-00 potential loss was stopped by the Fidelity Fund.
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The suspect was arrested and released on R5000.00 bail and the case was postponed to 6 April 2022 at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
