FORMER ATTORNEY MAKES REPRESENTATIONS TO THE DPP ON HER THEFT CHARGES
The Rustenburg Regional Court postponed the case against Betty Diale (52), to 31 October 2023, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to decide on her representations. Should the representations be rejected by the DPP, a new trial date will be determined by all parties.
A warrant of her arrest was previously issued for failing to appear in court on 26 September 2023 and also failing to provide reasons for her absence. She was rearrested on 06 October 2023, and released on warning.
An enquiry was held on her absence and the court subsequently accepted her medical certificate as proof for her absence. All necessary documents were provided to her in preparation for trial, as she indicated that she would represent herself during proceedings. 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.
