AN ATTORNEY GOT CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FOR FRAUD

EASTERN CAPE – Sandile Majavu (51) the Director of Majavu Attorneys got convicted and sentenced to a hefty ten year direct imprisonment by Mthatha Regional court on 6 July 2021.This comes simultaneously with the court appearance of Chantal Arlene Du Plessis in New Law Court in Gqeberha also for allegations of defrauding the clients.
It is reported that during the year 2011 Majavu was practising as an admitted Attorney in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape province under the name Style Barnard Christo and Majavu Attorneys. During the year Majavu assisted the victim to enter into the contractual agreement of purchasing a house through Sandile Majavu Attorneys. On the 01 February 2011, the victim paid R300 000 into Majavu Attorneys Trust Account. He later paid R5,586 on 31 May 2011.
Majavu is also said to have lured another victim for the purchasing of a house where the victim paid R1.1 million into Majavu’s Trust Account and the funds were never paid to the purchaser as the rightful beneficiary of the said funds. Majavu used the same modus operandi to steal funds from the other victim who paid R409 000.He prejudiced victims cash to the value of more than R1.8 million.
The matter was reported to Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for probing after a number of complaints were lodged by the victims. The probing culminated in the arrest of Majavu on 27 November 2018.He made his first court appearance in Mthatha Regional Court on the very same day and was released on R2000 bail.
After a series of appearances at Mthatha Regional court, Majavu on 7 July 2021 was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment for count 1 of theft and an additional 5 years imprisonment for count 2 to 4 of theft. Majavu will spend 10 years incarcerated as the sentences will run concurrently.
The Provincial Head Major General Obed Ngwenya lauded the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Team for the tactful utilisation of detection skills and making sure that law agents do not abuse legal powers conferred upon them.