CALL FOR COMPLAINANTS TO COME FORWARD IN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THEFT BY FORMER ATTORNEY

JOINT PRESS RELEASE NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY (NPA) AND DIRECTORATE FOR PRIORITY CRIME INVESTIGATION (DPCI/HAWKS)

01 September 2025

CALL FOR COMPLAINANTS TO COME FORWARD IN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THEFT BY FORMER ATTORNEY

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in collaboration with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is appealing to members of the public who may have been defrauded by Trashwon Virgil Webb. Webb operated under the name Webb at Law Incorporated Attorneys with offices previously located at 239 Caledon Street, Kariega (formerly Uitenhage), where he was the sole director of the firm. 

It is alleged that Webb was an admitted and enrolled attorney, legally permitted to practice on his own account. During this time, he operated a valid attorney’s trust account with Standard Bank under the name Webb at Law Attorneys. However, on 12 December 2017 the High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division in Makhanda, ordered his suspension from practicing as an attorney. From that date onward, Webb was interdicted from engaging in legal practice and from holding or operating an attorney’s trust account. He has not received written consent from the Cape Law Society (now the Legal Practice Council) to continue practicing as an admitted attorney ever since. However, he allegedly continued operating illegally, prompting an investigation which led to his arrest.

Webb made his first court appearance in the Gqeberha Magistrates' Court where he is provisionally facing 28 charges. These include 19 counts of theft, one count of fraud, one count of contempt of court, and one count relating to the contravention of Section 4 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. Although the state initially set bail in the amount of R1 000, it was ultimately set at R500 due to Webb’s inability to afford the original amount.

The NPA and DPCI urge anyone who believes they may have been affected or defrauded by Trashwon Virgil Webb to come forward and contact DPCI/Hawks Team Leader: Commercial Crimes Investigations, Lt Col Natalie Connelly, at 072 580 2723.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Eastern Cape Division

Tel: 047 501 2630

Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za

Cell: 073 555 9292

Enquiries: Email: nmakupula@npa.gov.za / 0682682473

AND

Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba (DPCI/Hawks)

Provinvial Spokesperson

Eastern Cape

Email: Fumbaavele@saps.gov.za

Cell: 082 569 851