Former attorney swindled clients out of R4.1m in accident fund payouts
On Thursday, the Mpumalanga specialised commercial crimes' court sitting in Middelburg convicted the former attorney, Mantladi Jo-Anne Mmela, 43, on four counts of theft.
According to NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the woman was practising as a sole practitioner for Mmela Attorneys when the crimes were committed between June 2019 and March 2022.
'The accused lodged claims against the Road Accident Fund (RAF) on behalf of her clients which were subsequently paid out. The money was paid by the RAF into the trust account of Mmela Incorporated Attorneys for the benefit of her clients, totalling more than R4.1m,' Nyuswa said.
However, it appears Mmela never paid the money to her clients.
Nyuswa said one of the victims reported that Mmela had failed to pay her. The investigation ensued and led to Mmela's arrest in 2022.
She was granted bail and absconded, which resulted in a warrant of arrest being issued. Mmela was rearrested in February 2024 and has been in custody since.
'During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty and senior state advocate Henry Nxumalo presented evidence from the witnesses. The accused was convicted on four counts of theft, and the matter was postponed to August 21 2025 for sentencing in the same court,' Nyuswa said.
She said the NPA welcomes the conviction as a significant step in the fight against theft of trust monies by attorneys.
'The NPA remains committed to fighting financial crimes in ensuring that those who deprive claimants of their monies are prosecuted,' she said.
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