Attorney released on warning for allegedly stealing 700K from RAF claimants

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A case against an attorney accused of defrauding Road Accident Fund (RAF) claimants has been postponed to the 29th of this month the for negotiations between the state and the defence attorney.

The 52 years old Betty Diale is facing six charges of theft, amounting to approximately R700 000, allegedly stolen from the Road Accident Fund(RAF) claimants.

NPA Spokesperson in the North West Henry Mamothame said that police reports reveal that Fidelity Funds, a body that oversees the conduct of attorneys, received several complaints from the RAF claimants, whose payments were deposited into Diale’s trust account.

Unfortunately the claimants did not receive their payout which led to the complaint being laid against Diale.

“Diale was practising as an attorney, during the alleged commission of the crimes between 2009 and 2011 and was subsequently charged with six counts of theft in June 2021.”

“The State did not oppose the postponement. She is out on a warning and has been cautioned not to interfere with witnesses,” said Mamothame.

As a result of allegations laid against her and her actions, the Legal Practice Council has struck her off the roll, thus preventing her from practicing as an attorney.