A former attorney at Thobejane PM Attorneys, 54-year-old Pretus Thobejane, based in Centurion, has appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court facing 31 counts of theft amounting to R8.3 million.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), it is alleged that between November 2024 and October 2025, Thobejane used the same modus operandi to defraud multiple complainants.

Gauteng regional spokesperson for the NPA, Lumka Mahanjana, said Thobejane allegedly offered conveyancing services to assist clients in purchasing properties.

“After reaching agreements, the complainants transferred funds to him for the services,” Mahanjana said.

“However, after receiving the money, Thobejane allegedly failed to render any service, became unreachable, and did not refund the funds.”

Mahanjana said the complainants later reported the matter to the Legal Practice Council (LPC), which in turn opened cases at various police stations.

“Following police investigations, Thobejane was arrested on 13 November 2025 at his residence in Centurion,” she said.

The case was postponed to 24 November 2025 for further bail investigations.

Last year, IOL reported that an 80-year-old attorney, Solomon Slom, was granted R50,000 bail in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after he was arrested for allegedly misappropriating R39 million from a trust fund.

At the time, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said a case was registered at Rosebank police station in February 2024.

The case was allocated to the Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation unit.

“The accused was an attorney attached to Fluxman Attorneys. He was mandated to administer a client’s account, which had about R45 million,” said Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Ramovha.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News  

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.

Source link