Law firm pursues Mamodupi Mohlala over non-payment

Deal to sidestep conflict of interest went wrong

- By Ngwako Malatji

A Joburg law firm is suing former chief executive officer of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Mamodupi Mohlala for her alleged failure to pay its legal fees.

The lawyer used another law firm as a front for provision of Mohlala's legal services against the PPRA to sidestep conflict of interest. This was because his entity was at that time rendering services for PPRA.

Mathopo Attorneys Incorporated has filed papers in the Johannesburg High Court demanding close to R400000 from Mohlala, whom it accused of failing to settle a legal bill after its lawyer Tshepo Mathopo provided legal services for her using DM5 Incorporated during her legal battle with PPRA, which she lost with costs.

In his founding affidavit, Mathopo stated that Mohlala approached them after PPRA placed her on precautionary suspension in March 2022 for alleged misconduct.

When Mohlala approached them, she was aware of the potential conflict of interest, as they were at that time handling certain matters for the PPRA.

Mathopo said he agreed with Mohlala to appoint another law firm, DM5 Incorporated, to act as her attorneys of record to render all the required legal services.

Immediately afterwards, he said, Mohlala instructed them to launch an urgent application where she sought to have her suspension declared unlawful.