Five convictions overturned after lawyer found practicing illegally for 10 years
The North West High Court in Mafikeng has released five individuals previously convicted of robbery and malicious injury to property.
The North West High Court in Mafikeng has released five individuals previously convicted of robbery and malicious injury to property.
This unprecedented decision stemmed from the revelation that their attorney, Sekgopamang Moses Koloane, had been operating without a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC) for over a decade, raising serious questions about the legality of their representation.
An FCC is a certificate that is a requirement for legal practitioners; without it, they are not allowed to practice or take deposits from clients. The certificate is renewed every year at a cost of R345.
The accused, identified as Goitseone Serache, Nkakane Tshile, Jeffrey Rabi, Yvonne Monname, and Kgomotso Jwere, were convicted in August 2024 and subsequently sentenced on January 31, 2025.
However, their judicial fate took a dramatic turn when the Legal Practice Council in North West revealed that Koloane's last valid FFC was issued on April 3, 2014.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
05-06-2025
- IOL News
Motorist awarded R26. 6m after pothole accident leaves her paraplegic
A North West Province woman who is left a paraplegic after her car hit a pothole and overturned, is set to receive R26.6m in damages from the province's roads department. Image: File A pothole in the North West Province will cost the MEC of the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport more than R26.6 million after a motorist was involved in an accident when she drove through the pothole, which left her a paraplegic. The North West High Court, sitting in Mahikeng, ordered the department about three months ago to pay this amount to the plaintiff, only identified as Beauty. However, the department has to date not yet paid up. Her attorney, Righardt Bezuidenhout, said the department promised that it would pay by Wednesday. However, by the time of publication, she had not yet been paid. Bezuidenhout had obtained an order to attach the assets of the provincial department, to sell at auction in a bid to receive payment. The department, in the meantime, promised to make the payment to avoid its assets being sold at public auction. Bezuidenhout earlier managed to secure an order against the provincial department after proving that the pothole was the cause of the accident, in which Beauty was left a paraplegic. She lost control of her car in 2014 when she hit the massive pothole on a public road, and her vehicle overturned. The provincial department was held responsible as it was proved to have been negligent for not fixing the pothole earlier. The court was told that the pothole had been there for some time and that it was fixed a few days after the accident. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The provincial department was held 100% liable for the damages she could prove she had suffered as a result of the accident. Beauty was a highly functional nurse prior to the accident, but she is now left helpless and needs around-the-clock assistance. During the second leg of the court case earlier this year, a host of experts were called in a bid to determine how much compensation Beauty should receive. The damages claimed by her were for past medical expenses, future medical expenses, loss of earnings, and general damages. In determining her damages, Deputy Judge President Tebogo Djaje considered the fact that Beauty was employed as a professional nurse at the time of the accident. She had been in service for approximately 25 years. Since the accident, she has not been employed and was medically boarded in 2016. She will not be able to return to work as she presents with a physical impairment of 77%, according to the orthopaedic surgeon. Apart from being wheelchair-bound, she uses an indwelling catheter as well as nappies and is completely dependent on her daughter for assistance. The only physical activity that she can do is gardening to a limited degree. According to the experts, the plaintiff will require extensive future treatment. Apart from spinal injuries, she also suffered a hip fracture, as well as shoulder and rib fractures. Her injuries further left her with several scars, and she lost four of her front teeth.
IOL News
04-06-2025
- IOL News
State must pay R26. 6m to motorist left a paraplegic after accident caused by pothole
A North West Province woman who is left a paraplegic after her car hit a pothole and overturned, is set to receive R26.6m in damages from the province's roads department. Image: File A pothole in the North West Province will cost the MEC of the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport more than R26.6 million after a motorist was involved in an accident when she drove through the pothole, which left her a paraplegic. The North West High Court, sitting in Mahikeng, ordered the department about three months ago to pay this amount to the plaintiff, only identified as Beauty. However, the department has to date not yet paid up. Her attorney, Righardt Bezuidenhout, said the department promised that it would pay by Wednesday. However, by the time of publication, she has not yet been paid. When the department failed to pay her prior to now. Bezuidenhout had obtained an order to attach the assets of the provincial department, to sell at auction in a bid to receive payment. The department, in the meantime, promised to make the payment in a bid to avoid its assets being sold at public auction. Bezuidenhout earlier managed to secure an order against the provincial department after proving that the pothole was the cause of the accident, in which Beauty was left a paraplegic. She lost control of her car in 2014 when she hit the massive pothole on a public road, and her vehicle overturned. The provincial department was held responsible as it was proved to have been negligent for not fixing the pothole earlier. The court was told that the pothole had been there for some time and that it was fixed a few days after the accident. The provincial department was held 100% liable for the damages she could prove she had suffered as a result of the accident. Beauty was a highly functional nurse prior to the accident, but she is now left helpless and needs around-the-clock assistance. During the second leg of the court case earlier this year, a host of experts were called in a bid to determine how much compensation Beauty should receive. The damages claimed by her were for past medical expenses, future medical expenses, loss of earnings, and general damages. In determining her damages, Deputy Judge President Tebogo Djaje considered the fact that Beauty was employed as a professional nurse at the time of the accident. She had been in service for approximately 25 years. Since the accident, she has not been employed and was medically boarded in 2016. She will not be able to return to work as she presents with a physical impairment of 77%, according to the orthopaedic surgeon. Apart from being wheelchair-bound, she uses an indwelling catheter as well as nappies and is completely dependent on her daughter for assistance. The only physical activity that she can do is gardening to a limited degree. According to the experts, the plaintiff will require extensive future treatment. Apart from spinal injuries, she also suffered a hip fracture, as well as shoulder and rib fractures. Her injuries further left her with several scars, and she lost four of her front teeth.
The Star
28-05-2025
- The Star
ATM urges calm and child-centred approach amid allegations involving Kaamilah Paulse
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called for calm and responsibility in the wake of public allegations against prominent Cape Town attorney Kaamilah Paulse, stressing the need to prioritise the rights and well-being of children entangled in ongoing legal disputes. In a media statement released Tuesday, ATM President Vuyo Zungula said the party was deeply concerned about the emotional and psychological toll the matter may have on the children involved. 'At the heart of this issue are the lives and well-being of children,' Zungula said. 'It is essential that all public discourse and legal processes keep their best interests as the top priority.' The statement comes amid mounting controversy following a ruling by the Legal Practice Council (LPC) Appeals Tribunal, which found prima facie evidence of professional misconduct by Paulse. She stands accused of using legal tactics to alienate a Johannesburg father, Asif Casoojee, from his children. Paulse is currently a senior attorney at Herold Gie Attorneys. Casoojee complained about being denied access to his children over a four-year legal battle with his ex-wife, whom Paulse represents. The Tribunal ruled in March that Paulse had improperly obtained a protection order without ensuring due process and had actively contributed to restricting Casoojee's access to his children, including their school and medical records. The Tribunal labelled her actions as 'parental alienation' and criticised her for failing to adequately respond to serious allegations, including her involvement in a WhatsApp group where confidential financial information about Casoojee was shared. ATM has urged the Legal Practice Council to continue holding legal professionals to the highest standards. 'Our justice system depends on ethical conduct and public trust,' said Zungula. 'The LPC must act with integrity and transparency, especially when the lives of children are impacted.' Retired judge and Legal Services Ombud Siraj Desai also weighed in, saying he would be monitoring the proceedings closely. 'This is a sensitive matter involving allegations of undue influence in family litigation,' Desai said. 'Such complaints are unfortunately common, and we will ensure that this one is handled thoroughly and fairly.' In a response submitted to The Star , Herold Gie Attorneys defended Paulse, saying they 'strongly disagree' with the Tribunal's findings and confirmed she intends to challenge the allegations at the Disciplinary Committee. 'No final determination has been made,' the firm stated. In her own brief comment, Paulse said, 'I have served with integrity for over a decade and stand by my conduct. I trust the process and will fully cooperate.' Meanwhile, fathers' rights groups have rallied behind Casoojee, calling for reform in the family law system and decrying what they say is a systemic bias against paternal rights. ATM concluded its statement with a broader appeal to society: 'Let us not forget that at the centre of this story are children. Their rights, safety, and emotional well-being must be the guiding principle in how we respond as a nation.' The matter is now before the LPC's Disciplinary Committee, and may yet return to the High Court — where the future of one father's relationship with his children, and the ethical standing of a legal professional, hangs in the balance.
