The Bloemfontein Regional Court sentenced a 50-year-old man, Ntate Manoel Mabesa, who claimed to be an advocate, to an effective 10-year prison term. Mabesa was accused of five counts of fraud, uttering and violating Section 9 of the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act.
Stealing people’s money
The convicted man took money from people who needed legal representation and would pose as their lawyer in court. Over the last few years, he has been representing people in bail applications and when he got caught while working on two trials.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on the 8thof March 2012, Mabesa applied at the High Court for admission as an advocate. This was supported by his affidavit, and a fraudulently obtained certificate which he claimed was from the University of The Free State on the 30thof March 2007.
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Advocate Johan Swanepoel from the Specialized Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU) was the first person who realised that Mabesa wasn’t a real lawyer., when he represented the state on a case where Mabesa was representing the accused client. Swanepoel based his suspicion on how Mabesa represented his client in an unusual manner. An investigation followed which found that he wasn’t suitably qualified, something further confirmed by a representative from the university.
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The court has since requested direct imprisonment of Mabesa as he not only defrauded people but also the High Court and the University of The Free State.



