Attorney defrauds client of R 1.8million RAF money

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Photo: supplied/Hawks

Hawks Spokesperson in Mpumalanga Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said the 41 years old Attorney, Mantladi Jo-Anne Mmela was appointed by a woman on behalf of his minor child who had been involved in accident to help her claim RAF money in May 2021.

A year later R 1.8million was paid into Mmela and Associates Inc account by RAF meant for the client.

Instead of sending the money to it’s rightful recipient, she instead took it for her personal use.

“The complainant was informed that money was indeed paid to the trust account. He further made enquiries with the law firm and Mmela was notified about the demand. She promised that she will make the payment to the complainant but she did not do as promised then she left to Pretoria.”

“The matter was reported to the Hawks in January 2022 for further probe. During the investigation, it was revealed that the attorney transferred the money into another bank account. A warrant of arrest was authorized and executed hence her arrest from her hiding place in Pretoria.”

Captain Sekgotodi said that following the arrest, the case was postponed to 5 December 2022 for possible pre-trial and representation hearing.

She was released on R 25 000 bail.

She also added that possibilities of more arrests are eminent.