Daniel Themba Mabunda (50) appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court on December 12 after he was arrested by the Nelspruit Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for fraud and theft of trust money.

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According to the provincial Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekotodi, it is alleged that during November 2021, the accused, a practising attorney at Mabunda (D&M) Inc Attorneys, received money from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) on behalf of two clients. However, he allegedly did not pay over the full benefits to the clients, but instead used the money without their knowledge or consent.

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“The accused submitted the first claim to the RAF on behalf of his client. The claim paid out an amount of R858 968, but he only gave the beneficiary R486 146.22. The remaining money, which exceeded the maximum 20% that an attorney may legally deduct from each such claim, he kept for himself. The second claim submitted to the RAF paid out R468 366.29, but the beneficiary never received anything of the payment,” said Sekgotodi.

She added that the accused was released on R5 000 bail while the matter was postponed to January 23 for further investigation.