Emanuel Mesele Tau (50) appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 24 July 2023 for alleged fraud, following his arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on the same day.
The arrest emanates from an investigation into a Road Accident Fund (RAF) pay-out of approximately R763 195-00, which the attorney allegedly received on behalf of a client, but kept it for himself.
It is reported that the client who had lost her husband in a vehicle accident requested the assistance of the accused to lodge a claim with RAF. In 2014, the pay-out was allegedly received by the accused, who failed to divulge this information to client.
In 2021, after allegedly many failed attempts to get hold of the attorney, the widow reported the incident to the police. The case was subsequently transferred to the Hawks for further probing, resulting in the recent arrest of the attorney.
He was released on R5000 bail and the matter was adjourned to 08 August 2023 for the Regional Court date.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – Major General Patrick Mbotho welcomed the arrest and commended the exceptional efforts by investigator and the prosecutor who worked on the case.