A former Durban lawyer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing money meant for his clients.
LAWYERS DIRTY DEALINGS
Fifty-Two year old Langelihle Dube, was found guilty of theft Durban Commercial Crimes Court, of approximately R2.3 million, from two of his clients between the period of 2009 to 2011.
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In the first instance, a sum of R1.4 million was paid into Dube’s trust account by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and was meant for a young boy who had been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident. The second amount of R900,000 was for an insurance payout on a deceased estate.
Dube however, failed to forward any of the monies to his clients.
DUBE EVADES MAXIMUM SENTENCE
Due to his health, Dube evaded the mininum sentence of 15 years. He instead received 10 years imprisonment for the theft of the R1.4 million, and eight years imprisonment for the theft of the R900 000. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
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State Advocate Wendy O’Brien says Dube brought the legal profession into disrepute by breaching trust placed onto him by his clients.
“The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter and congratulates the prosecution and the various investigating teams on a job well done, in holding the accused accountable for his actions”, says National Prosecuting Authority KZN spokesperson Natasha Kara.
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