FORMER ATTORNEY CONVICTED AFTER SWINDLING CLIENTS OF THEIR ROAD ACCIDENT FUND’S CLAIMS

26 June 2025

FORMER ATTORNEY CONVICTED AFTER SWINDLING CLIENTS OF THEIR ROAD ACCIDENT FUND’S CLAIMS

The Mpumalanga Specialised Commercial Crimes’ Court sitting in Middelburg convicted former attorney, Mantladi Jo-Anne Mmela (43) on four counts of theft. The accused was practicing as a sole practitioner for Mmela Attorneys when the crime was committed between June 2019 and March 2022. The accused lodged claims against the Road Accident Fund (RAF) on behalf of her clients which were subsequently paid out. The money was paid by Road Accident Fund into the trust account of Mmela Incorporated Attorneys for the benefit of her clients totaling an amount of over R4.1 million.

The incident came to light after one of the victims reported that Mmela failed to pay her. The investigation ensued and led to the arrest of the accused in 2022. She was granted bail and absconded which resulted to the warrant of arrest issued. Mmela was re-arrested in February 2024 and has been in custody since. During trial, the accused pleaded not guilty, and Senior State Advocate Henry Nxumalo presented evidence of the witnesses to prove the allegations levelled against her. The accused was convicted on four counts of theft and the matter was postponed to 21 August 2025 for sentencing in the same court.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction as a significant step in the fight against theft of trust monies by attorneys as breach of trust more so the victims of motor vehicle accidents. The collaboration against fighting such crimes yielded positive results in this matter. The NPA remains committed to fighting financial crimes in ensuring that those who deprive claimants of their monies are prosecuted.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
DPP Mpumalanga
013 0130450625/0764855446
myuswa@npa.gov.za