| 2024/07/25 |
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Media Statement EASTERN CAPE – Liezel Bandenhorst (44), a former law firm trust accountant, appeared before the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes court on 24 July 2024 on allegations of fraud. The accused was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on the same day of her court appearance. It is alleged that during the period between 2018 and 2023, the accused misappropriated funds from Du Toit Attorneys. It is reported that Bandenhorst’s duties in the law firm was to handle the client’s investment fund, trust receipts and payments. Subsequently, the business entity managing director picked up discrepancies from the trust bank account, then the matter was referred to the Hawks for probing. Preliminary investigations divulged that the accused made unauthorized transactions by transferring cash from practice trust bank account to her personal bank account in tranches. The investigations by the Hawks further revealed that the accused allegedly used login details of a senior attorney and made several transactions by transferring money into her bank account. Consequently, the law firm was prejudiced cash to the value over R17 million. Further allegations also revealed that the accused manipulated the accounting system resulting into the falsification of financial records. Intensive investigation led to the arrest of the accused on 24 July 2024 and appearance before the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes court on the same day of her arrest. Bandenhorst was released on R10 000 bail. The matter was remanded to 09 September 2024 for a plea. Ends
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