Judge in a legal battle to stop prosecution for theft of over R2m while still an attorney

A JUDGE in the Bloemfontein High Court is in a legal battle to avoid prosecution after he allegedly misappropriated over R2 million intended for a client.

- SINENHLANHLA MASILELA

The case is rooted in Mpina Mathebula's previous work as an attorney practicing under the name Uys Mathebula Attorneys in Sasolburg.

According to court documents, from July 2012 to May 2018, Mathebula was allegedly involved in the misappropriation of funds after helping a boy who was involved in a car accident.

Mathebula's services were requested by Dimakatso Makhethe, an elderly woman who wanted compensation from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) for her grandson.

Following the claim, RAF paid out R2.2m into Mathebula's law firm account in August 2013.

In addition to the amount, RAF made another payment of more than R900 000 after the high court ordered RAF to pay for the costs of the application. In total, Mathebula's law firm received over R3.1m. However, only R110 500 was paid to Makhethe's grandson.

Aggrieved by the amount, Makhethe laid a complaint and the State managed to recover over R1.2m from Tswantso Melato who worked at Mathebula's law firm as a candidate attorney. He took over the business when Mathebula was appointed a judge. But he has since been struck off the roll of attorneys.