The Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday (January 26) sentenced ex-attorney Langelihle Dube, to 10 years of direct imprisonment for the theft of approximately R2.3 million, from two of his clients between 2009 and 2011.
In the first instance, a sum of R1.4 million was paid into Dube’s trust account by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and was meant for a young boy who had been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara. The second amount of R900 000 was for an insurance payout on a deceased estate, she added.
“Whilst the monies went into Dube’s account, he never forwarded it to the beneficiaries. Dube, 52, who ran his own firm, was arrested following an investigation by the Attorneys Fidelity Fund and members of the SAPS,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
In aggravation of the sentence, Senior State Advocate Wendy O’Brien reminded the court that attorneys are placed in a position of trust and have an obligation towards their clients.
She noted that Dube’s breach of this trust had brought the legal profession into disrepute and added that Dube, who had been a claims handler at the RAF at some stage in his career would have realised the consequences of stealing money due to a victim.
In sentencing Dube, the court deviated from the minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment for each of the counts, due to his health issues.
Dube was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the theft of the R1.4 million, and eight years imprisonment for the theft of the R900 000. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 10 years imprisonment, said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.