Mpumelelo “Bond” Nyoka, once known for his penchant for designer clothes and an extravagant lifestyle, was readmitted as an attorney and conveyancer on Tuesday after a forced absence from the profession of 14 years.
Nyoka was interdicted from practising in 2004 and struck from the roll in 2009 after stealing over R400,000 from his clients.
The once flamboyant lawyer with the slicked back hair who was known countrywide for his gold BMW with its personalised “007” number plate, is deeply contrite. He paid back the money he stole, but says he has also paid a deep personal, emotional and material price for his sins.
The divorced 51-year-old’s plush home in Bluewater Bay, Port Elizabeth, is long gone. The BMW was sold off along with all other possessions.
He may have very few material things in his life but considers himself blessed by family and friends who have sustained him over the past decade and a half.
Nyoka says in an affidavit attached to his application for readmission that his troubles began in 1999 when a large volume of work from the provincial housing department for the registration of transfers of low-cost housing dried up, leaving him unable to meet his commitments to SA Revenue Services in terms of VAT and PAYE. He owed Sars R306,000 and after pleading guilty to fraud in 2007 he was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment wholly suspended.
He admits that between 1999 and 2002 he also used funds paid to him by people buying properties to maintain his practice and his lifestyle instead of investing it in his trust account.
The R461,000 he misappropriated led to his second guilty plea. He repaid the money in full and was sentenced to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years.
He said he had been led to commit the crimes by his desire to maintain his professional image in society as a successful black professional.
“I enjoyed a high profile and extensive media coverage and to a certain extent tried to live up to the image. Ultimately, it was my pride that led to my downfall; that coupled with my vanity and greed to preserve my hollow image as an icon for the black youth…Through my actions I abased myself, my family and the legal profession.”
Nyoka enjoyed the spotlight and represented several high-profile clients.
But he is a changed man. His slicked-back hair is now grey, his once-flashy smile is now diffident, and the booming voice is gentle and hesitant.
“I am overwhelmed and humbled by my readmission,” he said softly in an interview with the Dispatch.
He said he remained deeply remorseful and ashamed of his actions, for which he took full responsibility.
“I have missed the profession so much.”
He said his Port Elizabeth attorney Steve Brewis had been instrumental in his readmission and had done all the legwork free of charge.
Nyoka’s advocate, Carien van der Merwe, instructed by Brewis and Makhanda attorney Owen Huxtable, argued that he had shown remorse and self-awareness of the character flaws that led to his crimes.
Judges Judith Roberson and Thamie Beshe said he had met the requirements to be readmitted as an attorney and a conveyancer, subject to certain conditions.
These included that he practise at a law firm as a professional assistant for a year.
Roberson wished him well in his profession...