An attorney is out on R25 000 bail for alleged fraud and stealing close to R2 million in a Road Accident Fund (RAF) claim meant for a minor child.
ATTORNEY ALLEGEDLY CROOKS PARENT AND CHILD
A parent approached and appointed Mmela and Associates Inc. to assist in claiming from the Road Accident Fund in May 2021. This claim is on behalf of their minor child who was involved in a serious accident.
The attorney, Mantladi Jo-Anne Mmela, 41, then submitted a claim, which was successful, said the Hawks.
A year later, on 8 May 2022, R1.8 million was paid into the trust account of Mmela and Associates, spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said.
“The attorney did not pay out the money received to the client. Instead, she created a false referencea s if the money was paid over to the complainant.”
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi
After the parent found out about the money being paid into the trust account, he further enquired with the law firm.
Mmela was notified about the parent demanding the money and she promised to make the payment.
But the attorney did not stick to her promise. Instead, she fled and left for Pretoria, said Sekgotodi.
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HAWKS INVESTIGATE AND ARREST LAWYER
The matter was reported to the Hawks for further probe. They discovered that Mmela transferred the money into another bank account instead.
“A warrant of arrest was authorised and executed, hence her arrest from her hiding place in Pretoria,” said Sekgotodi.
Mmela was arrested on Tuesday by the Middelburg-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.
She appeared before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for charges of fraud and theft of payment from the Road Accident Fund.
“The accused was released on R25 000 bail on condition that she hand over her travelling documents. The case was postponed to 5 December 2022 for possible pre-trial and representation hearing. Further arrest is imminent,” said Sekgotodi.