EASTERN CAPE - ATTORNEY CONVICTED OF STEALING R780 000 OF TRUST FUND MONEY

The Mthatha Regional court convicted Patrick Vuyani Gwebindlala (52) for charges of theft of trust funds on 11 June 2021.

It is reported that in 2008, Gwebindlala was duly practising as an admitted Attorney in Mthatha district and registered as such with the Cape Town Law Society. 

He held the Banking Trust Account with ABSA bank under the name Style Gwebindlala Attorneys. 

Mrs Schultz is said to have approached Gwebindlala in order to assist her in the purchase and transferring of the house into her name. 

The house was bought from Nokuthula Tyetyana- Mnqundaniso to the value of R780 000-00.

The money is reported to have been transferred into Gwebindlala’s Trust account which he is said to have withdrawn during the period between 09 June 2008 and 26 July 2008. Gwebindlala therefore failed to pay Tyetyana-Mnqundaniso the R780 000-00 that was due to her as the seller of the house.

Schultz lodged her complaint to the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for probing which culminated in Gwebindlala’s arrest on 05 February 2019. He was released on warning.

Gwebindlala made a series of court appearances in Mthatha Regional which culminated in his conviction on 11 June 2021.The matter is remanded for 02 August 2021 for sentencing.

SAPS