Former White River attorney Clea Hattingh (43), née Stevens, appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court today, October 26, after she was granted R5 000 bail in the White River Magistrate’s Court.

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Hattingh handed herself over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Mbombela on May 21 after a warrant for her arrest had been issued. She faces allegations of fraud and theft involving more than R2m in estate and trust funds belonging to clients.

During the court proceedings, state advocate Salomé Horn told the court that the defence requested a postponement to allow more time to consult with the accused over the dockets. The court ruled in favour, and the case was subsequently postponed to November 26.

Accused faces multiple charges

Hattingh faces multiple charges of theft from deceased estates and trust funds, alongside charges of contravening the Legal Practice Act, including allegations of failing to keep proper accounting records and breaching Legal Practice Rules.

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During her bail hearing, the court heard she was previously admitted as an attorney of the Northern Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

She was struck from the roll on February 5, 2024, following an application by the Legal Practice Council.