Lawyer investigated for allegedly stealing millions from clients to buy property

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Alleged fraud, theft and corruption has seen a prominent Gauteng based lawyer being struck off the roll by the High Court in Tshwane.

Nonhle Nkomonde had been in the public eye for a while following several complaints by her former clients who accused her of stealing money to fund a fancy lifestyle.

In some of the allegations and investigations against her, it was revealed that Nkomonde allegedly transferred over R2 million from the estate of the late Dr David Frank Lubenga into her personal account where among things, eight properties were purchased in Soweto and Orange Farm in 2023.

It is also said that she reportedly transferred ownership of a 61-year-old client’s house in Orlando East, Soweto, to her law firm without consent, and ended up selling it for R300,000.

In an attempt to have her barred from practicing as a lawyer, the Legal Practitioners Council in court highlighted that Nkomonde operated without a Fidelity Fund Certificate, leaving clients unable to claim compensation for lost funds.

Authorities described her conduct as “unethical and criminal,” and she now faces a permanent ban from practicing law.

Criminal investigations into potential fraud, money laundering, and identity theft are ongoing.