A 54-year-old former attorney, Catherine Wilheminah Papenfus, has been granted bail of R10,000 after appearing in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on charges of theft and fraud.
The allegations date back to between September 2010 and July 2013, when Papenfus, then an admitted attorney and conveyancer, allegedly received funds from clients who were purchasing properties. These payments, made into her trust account, were meant for property sellers — but were reportedly never transferred. The clients also did not receive their money back.
After failing to reach her, the clients lodged complaints with the Fidelity Fund, which later refunded them. Papenfus was subsequently struck off the roll of attorneys. She was arrested in Hermanus in the Western Cape and is due back in court on September 16.