A Zwelitsha man who allegedly pretended to be an advocate has been nabbed by the Hawks for fraud.
Luyanda Mabhongo, 37, appeared briefly in the East London Magistrate’s Court recently where he was released on warning.
Hawks spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni yesterday confirmed they were investigating the matter.
The Hawks said Mabhongo is alleged to have claimed he was from a law firm called Gasela and Associates Attorneys.
“He presented a requisition form on behalf of sentenced prisoners to a police court orderly,” Feni said. A requisition form is usually used by investigating officers to gain access to prisoners.
“The policeman noticed that the requisition document was not signed by the prosecutor. was confronted by the policeman who was familiar with the law firm in question. The suspect was arrested and appeared before court,” Feni said.
Mabhongo had allegedly presented himself as advocate Malotana and is believed to be only in possession of a matric certificate.
The case was postponed for witness statements, invoices and copies of charge sheets for cases in which Mabhongo was involved in and postponed to September 20.
Black Lawyers’ Association provincial president Bayethe Maswazi said: “We view this conduct as bad. It puts the law fraternity into disrepute. This matter must be dealt with accordingly by law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies”.
Chairman of the Eastern Cape Society of Advocates, Neil Schoeman, said members of the public should not pick advocates off the street.
“One must make sure that their advocate belongs to a professional society,” he said.
Gasela and Associates Attorneys could not be reached for comment.
Attorneys need to have Fidelity Fund Certificates which are renewed every year and could not practise without them.
General Council of the Bar of South Africa’s website says, the requirements for admission as an advocate in terms of the Admission of Advocates Act, 74 of 1964, are that anyone can be an advocate in South Africa if they are:
● Over the age of 21 years and is a fit and proper person to be so admitted and authorised; ● Duly qualified; and ● A South African citizen or that he/she has been lawfully admitted to the Republic for permanent residence therein and is ordinarily resident in the Republic. —
Hawks nab ‘advocate’ for fraud
Luyanda Mabhongo, 37, appeared briefly in the East London Magistrate’s Court recently where he was released on warning.
Hawks spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni yesterday confirmed they were investigating the matter.
The Hawks said Mabhongo is alleged to have claimed he was from a law firm called Gasela and Associates Attorneys.
“He presented a requisition form on behalf of sentenced prisoners to a police court orderly,” Feni said. A requisition form is usually used by investigating officers to gain access to prisoners.
“The policeman noticed that the requisition document was not signed by the prosecutor. was confronted by the policeman who was familiar with the law firm in question. The suspect was arrested and appeared before court,” Feni said.
Mabhongo had allegedly presented himself as advocate Malotana and is believed to be only in possession of a matric certificate.
The case was postponed for witness statements, invoices and copies of charge sheets for cases in which Mabhongo was involved in and postponed to September 20.
Black Lawyers’ Association provincial president Bayethe Maswazi said: “We view this conduct as bad. It puts the law fraternity into disrepute. This matter must be dealt with accordingly by law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies”.
Chairman of the Eastern Cape Society of Advocates, Neil Schoeman, said members of the public should not pick advocates off the street.
“One must make sure that their advocate belongs to a professional society,” he said.
Gasela and Associates Attorneys could not be reached for comment.
Attorneys need to have Fidelity Fund Certificates which are renewed every year and could not practise without them.
General Council of the Bar of South Africa’s website says, the requirements for admission as an advocate in terms of the Admission of Advocates Act, 74 of 1964, are that anyone can be an advocate in South Africa if they are:
● Over the age of 21 years and is a fit and proper person to be so admitted and authorised; ● Duly qualified; and ● A South African citizen or that he/she has been lawfully admitted to the Republic for permanent residence therein and is ordinarily resident in the Republic. —
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