Attorney Allegedly Kept R10 Million from Road Accident Fund
Former attorney Michael Senotse Mabunda, 42, appeared in court facing fraud charges linked to Road Accident Fund (RAF) payouts.
Mabunda was served with a summons related to a fraud case registered at the Pretoria North police station in August 2019. According to reports, Mabunda was subsequently struck off the roll of attorneys by the Legal Practice Council.
Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, confirmed that the investigation began after allegations surfaced that Mabunda had defrauded his clients.
"Mr. Mabunda, who was practicing as an attorney, lodged claims with the Road Accident Fund on behalf of his clients," Ramovha explained. "The Road Accident Fund paid R10,562,173 into his trust account, but Mabunda allegedly failed to transfer these funds to his clients, resulting in substantial financial losses."
Mabunda appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday. The case has been postponed to November 26 for further proceedings.
Provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, welcomed Mabunda's arrest, stating, "This arrest serves as a critical reminder to legal professionals of the importance of maintaining trust and integrity when handling client funds. Fraudulent activities will not be tolerated."
In a related incident, it was reported that an Eastern Cape attorney, Masixole Bangiso, 41, from Masixole Bangiso Attorneys, also faced charges for allegedly stealing Road Accident Fund money intended for his clients. Bangiso appeared in East London Magistrate's Court in September.
Mabunda was served with a summons related to a fraud case registered at the Pretoria North police station in August 2019. According to reports, Mabunda was subsequently struck off the roll of attorneys by the Legal Practice Council.
Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, confirmed that the investigation began after allegations surfaced that Mabunda had defrauded his clients.
"Mr. Mabunda, who was practicing as an attorney, lodged claims with the Road Accident Fund on behalf of his clients," Ramovha explained. "The Road Accident Fund paid R10,562,173 into his trust account, but Mabunda allegedly failed to transfer these funds to his clients, resulting in substantial financial losses."
Mabunda appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday. The case has been postponed to November 26 for further proceedings.
Provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, welcomed Mabunda's arrest, stating, "This arrest serves as a critical reminder to legal professionals of the importance of maintaining trust and integrity when handling client funds. Fraudulent activities will not be tolerated."
In a related incident, it was reported that an Eastern Cape attorney, Masixole Bangiso, 41, from Masixole Bangiso Attorneys, also faced charges for allegedly stealing Road Accident Fund money intended for his clients. Bangiso appeared in East London Magistrate's Court in September.
