Disbarred attorney Clea Hattingh (43), (née Stevens), was released on R5 000 bail by the White River Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, May 22, as the state continues investigating additional cases linked to the matter.

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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.

According to investigating officer Captain Dietlof Meyer, Hattingh allegedly transferred money from estate and trust accounts into her own trust account and other accounts without the knowledge or consent of the executor, William van Zyl, whose late father’s estate was allegedly affected.

The state alleges that approximately R1.6m was electronically transferred from the estate account into Hattingh’s trust and Money on Call accounts, as well as accounts linked to other estates and trust creditors.

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Hattingh 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.

She practised as a partner/director at Lourens PJ Attorneys from March 2016 until February 2024, after which she operated her own practice, Clea Hattingh Attorneys, in White River.

In an affidavit submitted during her bail application, Hattingh stated that she is a single mother of three and currently works at her family’s funeral business, which also manufactures tombstones.

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Her bail conditions include surrendering her travel documents to the investigating officer, refraining from contacting state witnesses, and reporting to the nearest police station once a week.

The matter was postponed to July 27 for further investigation.

According to State Adv Salomè Horn, several additional cases are still under investigation.

After leaving the courtroom, Hattingh shouted at members of the media: “I hope you don’t have small children!”