Convicted lawyer ordered to repay stolen funds from a deceased estate

PRETORIA – Gavin Du Plessis (48), former lawyer and executioner of the deceased estate, appeared at the Port Elizabeth Regional Court on Wednesday for sentencing on a charge of theft worth R261 638.
This follows his conviction on the 13 July 2020 when he pleaded guilty on the charge.
Du Plessis was ordered to repay the said total amount over a period of 60 moths on R4, 400 monthly instalments, resuming on or before 3 August 2020.
Furthermore he was sentenced to five (5) years imprisonment wholly suspended for five (5) years with stringent conditions.
He had been struck off the roll of attorneys in 2009.
The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Port Elizabeth revealed that Du Plessis transferred a total of R320 000 from his deceased clients estate account into his personal bank account.
He was entitled only to R60 000 in fees for the service he provided in June 2008.
The matter was reported to the Hawks for investigation when the beneficiary did not receive the funds.

Source: South African Police Service

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