WARRANT OF ARREST ISSUED AGAINST ATTORNEY IN RAF THEFT CASE
The Rustenburg Regional Court issued a warrant of arrest against Betty Diale (52), for failing to appear in court. The trial was set to start on 26 September 2023 and the accused provided no reasons to the court for her absence. All necessary documents were provided to her in preparation for trial, as she opted to represent herself. A new trial date will be set following her arrest. Diale is facing six charges of theft, amounting to approximately R700 000, allegedly stolen from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) claimants.
Police reports reveal that the Legal Practice Fidelity Fund received several complaints from the RAF claimants, whose payments were deposited into Diale’s trust account. The claimants alleged that the said money did not reach them after the payout, and subsequently reported to the police for investigation. Diale was practicing as an attorney during the alleged commission of the crimes between 2009 and 2011 and was subsequently charged with six counts of theft in June 2021.
The Legal Practice Council has struck her off the roll, preventing her from practising as an attorney.
