logo
Former attorney accused of theft, fraud released on R10,000 bail

Former attorney accused of theft, fraud released on R10,000 bail

TimesLIVE2 days ago
Former attorney Catherine Wilheminah Papenfus appeared in the Johannesburg specialised commercial crimes court on Thursday on theft and fraud charges.
Papenfus, 54, was arrested in Hermanus in the Western Cape on Saturday and was released on bail of R10,000.
Between September 2010 and July 2013, Papenfus, who was an admitted attorney and conveyancer, allegedly received instructions from clients for legal assistance.
'The clients, intending to purchase properties, paid money into the attorney's trust account,' Hawks spokesperson W/O Thatohatsi Mavimbela said.
'However the suspect failed to pay the sellers and did not refund the clients.'
When the clients failed to trace the attorney they lodged complaints with the Fidelity Fund for a refund and Papenfus was struck off the roll of attorneys. Her case was postponed to September 16.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Macpherson clears Matjhabeng municipality of EPWP funds misuse
Macpherson clears Matjhabeng municipality of EPWP funds misuse

TimesLIVE

time6 minutes ago

  • TimesLIVE

Macpherson clears Matjhabeng municipality of EPWP funds misuse

Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has determined that Matjhabeng Local Municipality properly used Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) funds for 2023/24 and 2024/25 on approved projects. Macpherson has directed that withheld EPWP funds be released so projects can continue, while stressing that the municipality must account for its decision to establish the support unit. He released the findings of the department's investigation into allegations that the EPWP in Matjhabeng was used to fund inflated salaries for former councillors and sitting political office bearers. This is after he suspended EPWP transfers to the municipality pending an investigation in July after a City Press investigation found that salaries exceeding R31,000 a month were paid to these officials, more than ten times the average EPWP stipend. 'When I first learnt of the allegations, I moved speedily to ensure that public funds are protected and that an investigation be conducted as soon as possible. I therefore commend departmental officials for conducting the investigation within three weeks,which found that all EPWP funds transferred to Matjhabeng are accounted for, and that grant money was used strictly for its intended purpose — creating work opportunities for unemployed South Africans. As the department of public works & infrastructure, we will continue to ensure good governance and accountability,' Macpherson said. He said the officials highlighted in media reports are not EPWP participants and are not paid from the EPWP integrated grant. While these officials' salaries are significantly higher than the EPWP stipend, their contracts are municipal appointments linked to the executive mayor's term and fall outside the EPWP framework. Macpherson said the investigation established that all EPWP integrated grant allocations for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years were fully spent on approved projects, creating 373 and 751 work opportunities, respectively. 'Expenditure patterns reported by the municipality correlated with proof of payment to participants,' he said. Macpherson said the municipality has to answer itself on the merits of establishing an EPWP support unit using funding from the municipality's budget. 'As we work to reform the EPWP programme towards becoming more transparent, a skills-transfer and a hand-up to permanent employment, the integrity of the programme is paramount. Where allegations arise, we will investigate these speedily and provide feedback to the public as we have done in this case. This will ensure that a culture of transparency is built within the programme to keep officials accountable for how funds are distributed. Through this action, we are building a better department which will help us build a better South Africa,' he said.

'He still has not come here': Mpofu says Ramaphosa still owes Marikana families an apology
'He still has not come here': Mpofu says Ramaphosa still owes Marikana families an apology

TimesLIVE

time36 minutes ago

  • TimesLIVE

'He still has not come here': Mpofu says Ramaphosa still owes Marikana families an apology

Workers and Socialist Party (WASP) and Socialist Youth Movement (SYM) are demanding justice for the Marikana massacre victims and want the alleged killers prosecuted, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and police commanders. Saturday marked the 13th anniversary of the massacre when 34 mineworkers were killed by police during a strike at Lonmin Mine in Marikana in North West. Mineworkers had downed tools and participated in unprotected wage strikes. A total of 44 people lost their lives during the strike. Police allegedly shot 34 on August 16 2012. WASP and SYM believe the massacre was not a police operation that went wrong, claiming it was a deliberate act of violence to protect the profits of Lonmin (now Sibanye-Stillwater) and the capitalist mining industry. 'In its execution, it was premeditated. The ANC government, under Jacob Zuma, deployed police to crush worker resistance, proving once and for all that the ANC is no longer a movement for liberation but a bloody instrument of mining monopoly capital,' said WASP national executive committee member Mametlwe Sebei. Sebie said WASP and SYM were demanding the nationalisation of the mines under workers' control and a living wage for all workers — a R15,000 minimum wage now and a universal basic income grant of R1,500. He said Cosatu should break away from the ANC, as should all trade unions aligned with other capitalist parties, to unite into a united working class front, and a mass workers' party to fight for socialism. 'Even today, no-one has been held accountable. Cyril Ramaphosa, then a Lonmin director who called for 'concomitant action' against the strikers, is now president — showing the ANC's true allegiance. The Farlam commission was a whitewash and the police and politicians who ordered the killings remain free,' Seabi said.

Bail delay for four accused of hit on DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu
Bail delay for four accused of hit on DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu

TimesLIVE

time20 hours ago

  • TimesLIVE

Bail delay for four accused of hit on DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu

This will coincide with the sitting of another pending matter which Zuma is facing, where he is alleged to have killed iNduna Qalokunye Zuma on January 23, 2023. He was released on bail of R25,000 for that matter. DA leader Francois Rodgers who attended the hearing was disappointed it was postponed. Stand-in magistrate Helene Wilkins said she had received several applications from the media to be allowed to film and photograph court proceedings. She said she would not make the determination and instead hand the matter over to the magistrate who would preside at the next court sitting. 'This will be canvassed at the next court date,' she said. The defence, including advocate Sthembiso Mdladla representing Zuma, has objected to the media requests while the state has no objections. Ndlovu was shot dead outside his home, in front of his wife, two children and a nanny. His family have since abandoned the home outside eMpophomeni. The accused were emotionless during the short proceedings, a sharp contrast to a previous appearance during which Zuma, who is related to Ndlovu, cried in the dock. When the matter was adjourned Zuma greeted several people seated in the public gallery. Outside court the prime minister of the Nxamalala tribal authority, Tallman Zuma, could not hide his disappointment about the delay over bail. He is among Zuma's fierce backers and deputy convener of the MK Party in the region. 'We have been left in limbo. Some of the affairs of the rural community have stalled because of inkhosi's absence. Though we have his subjects in the lower rung of the community structures where things are smooth, a problem comes when issues sometimes have to be escalated to inkhosi,' said Zuma.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store