Mthatha High Court finds attorney guilty of theft
The Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has found attorney, Vuyani Gwebindlala (52) guilty of stealing R685 400 meant for his client. Gwebindlala, who is practising in the Mthatha district, was convicted for stealing the money which was funds received in his Gwebindlala Attorneys trust banking account. He was the sole signatory to that account. In March 2008, a purchaser, Angela Schulte, got into a deal to buy a house from its seller, Nokuthula Thetyana-Mngqundaniso.
It is said that on 01 June 2008, Schulte deposited a cheque of R730 000 to Gwebindlala’s trust account, where it was to be held until such time that the transfer of the property had been completed and duly registered, after the said amount had been paid to the seller. Gwebindlala was legally obliged not to utilize any portion of the funds for any other purpose other than for which it was given. However, starting from the date it was deposited to 01 May 2009, the attorney withdrew various cheques from the said trust account. At the time the amounts were drawn, the trust account held no other funds. He only made payments to the total of R44 600 to the seller and misappropriated the rest of the purchase price for his personal use.
The case has been postponed to 06 August for sentencing procedures.
