Attorney sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for theft and fraud

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The Port Elizabeth Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has handed a 15 years imprisonment for a 47 years old attorney after being discovered to have had a hand multiple acts of fraud and theft.

Anna Johanna Maria Swanepoel’s quarrel with the law started in August 2015 when she was convicted of theft of trust monies.

As a result she was struck off the roll of attorneys on August 27, 2015 after withdrawing her leave to appeal application for her conviction.

She however continued to practice as an attorney under radar, representing several clients where she benefited almost hundreds of thousands of money.

Her fraudulent acts ended when the Hawks started investigating her, eventually she was arrested in October 2018.

Hawks say they found prosecutable evidence against her.

NPA Spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani said of the 15 years jail term she is facing, 5 years of it is suspended on the condition that she must not be convicted of theft, fraud or contempt of court committed during the period of suspension.

This means that she will serve ten years of direct imprisonment.