Attorney arrested for stealing RAF money
The Rustenburg regional court has postponed the theft case of disbarred attorney Betty Diale, 52, until October 31 for the North West director of public prosecutions (DPP) to decide on her representations.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said 52-year-old former EFF MP, Betty Diale, appeared in court on Tuesday.
He said should her representations be rejected by the Provincial Director of Public Prosecutions, the court will set a new trial date.
Mamothame said a warrant for her arrest was issued when she failed to appear in court on 26 September and also failed to provide reasons for her absence.
He said Diale was rearrested on 6 October, and released on warning.
“An enquiry was held on her absence and the court subsequently accepted her medical certificate as proof of her absence. All necessary documents were provided to her in preparation for trial, as she indicated that she would represent herself during proceedings,” Mamothame said.
She said Diale is facing six charges of theft, amounting to approximately R700 000, allegedly stolen from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) claimants.
Police reports reveal that the Legal Practice Fidelity Fund received several complaints from the RAF claimants, whose payments were deposited into Diale’s trust account.
Diale was practicing as an attorney during the alleged commission of the crimes between 2009 and 2011 and was subsequently charged with six counts of theft in June 2021.
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