Former Law Firm Accountant in Court for Alleged R17 Million Fraud in Gqeberha

In a legal twist that underscores the impact of financial malfeasance within the corporate sector, Liezel Bandenhorst, 44, stood before the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes court, facing allegations of defrauding Du Toit Attorneys, a law firm where she previously served as a trust accountant. The court session, which took place on July 24, 2024, follows her arrest by the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team earlier that day.

The details of the case paint a timeline of deceit that Bandenhorst allegedly enacted between 2018 and 2023, during which she is accused of misallocating roughly R17 million from the firm's trust accounts, originally earmarked for client investments, receipts, and payments. It was the firm's managing director who first noticed discrepancies in the accounts leading to a deeper review and subsequent referral to the Hawks.

Investigations unearthed illicit practices whereby the accused purportedly performed unauthorized transactions transferring the law firm's trust funds into her own bank account in several installments. Moreover, Bandenhorst is alleged to have exploited a senior attorney's login credentials to execute these transfers clandestinely. The series of fraudulent acts culminated not only in the illicit flow of money to Bandenhorst's accounts but also in the manipulation of the law firm's accounting system, prompting falsification of financial statements.

The gravity of these allegations, combined with the extensive evidence gathered by the investigative team, led to Bandenhorst's arrest, swift court appearance, and her subsequent bail set at R10,000. Despite the accused’s release, the gravity of her alleged actions remains a point of serious contention in the legal community, highlighting the care with which trust accounts and financial oversight must be managed within law firms.

Set against the backdrop of potential misuse of access and financial controls within a law firm, this case has garnered significant attention, not only for its scale but also for the potential ramifications on clients and the integrity of the legal profession. As the case unfolds, Bandenhorst's plea hearing is currently scheduled for September 9, 2024, which will undoubtedly serve as a key date in the evolution of this complex saga.