By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Alex Reporter interviewed clients who allegedly needed, the services of a 38-year-lawyer, but ended up being defrauded by her.
One of the victims, Tsadex Ntguse, tried to open a case in Bramely, after they were allegedly told they could not be helped at Alex police.
Ntgusa, three weeks ago, went to the Bramely police where he was apparently assisted by warrant officer Maseko. However, a case number hasn’t been issued to him since.
When we contacted Maseko through WhatsApp he said: “Morning sir, can, you please communicate with me on Monday, I’m off and am in Limpopo.”
Other two workers alleged that they have been working for the female advocate based in Sandton as bodyguards since October 2020 and that they haven’t been paid for those seven months.
Finding the advocate is miraculous. She does not take their calls, never responds to text or WhatsApp messages.
After interviewing the victims, we contacted the alleged scammer on her landline, her email, two cell phone numbers (which rang unanswered many times), texted her, and also sent her WhatsApp messages.
The landline tone indicated the number was invalid. Her outlook email failed as well.
All our efforts to reach her from March to April 2021 were fruitless.
However, the questionable lawyer also sees our communication and is always online on WhatsApp.
The victims then provided us with numbers belonging to a man believed to be her husband, but our attempts to solicit comments from him also struck a rock.
Then the stubborn advocate texted Mazibuko, one of the guys that haven’t been paid since October of last year:
“I am also aware that the messages I am sending to you are being forwarded to another person. I am also aware that you have discussed sensitive issues with others.
“How would people have known that you are my bodyguard? That was not even a matter for public record.
“Now you tell me, Mr Mazibuko, how do I meet with you when my life is in danger?”
THIS IS PART ONE OF THE STORY:
A 38-year-old woman, Nani Nobesule, told us that her mission was to ensure that people who had occupied certain flats in the Kew industrial area near Alexandra were evicted.
The other intention was to revamp the firms for a purpose of job creation.
Nani said that she was employed by landlords as a project manager.
She said she was introduced to the advocate by Refiloe Khunoe, who lives in Alexandra.
“They asked me to manage the companies or reorganize them, if possible, in order to create more jobs for the people of Alexandria.
“What happened is that I needed help with an eviction order in order to follow the right channel.
“Refiloe told me the woman was very knowledgeable about issues related to eviction orders.
“The advocate charged me R42 000. She wanted a 50% advance and I gave her R24, 000 because I didn’t have the extra R1000.
“She then promised to issue me with an eviction order after one week.”
Nani said after a week had expired, the advocate allegedly demanded more money because more lawyers were also involved in the case.
“I gave her another R20, 000 and then she disappeared. I told management she robbed me of the money.
“I called her, but she never picked up my calls. When COVID-19 arrived, she stated that it was not possible to evict anyone during the pandemic.
“Then, at level one, when I called her during the day, she said that she would come back to me later, which she never managed to honor.
“I sent SMSes but she ignored them; I sent WhatsApp messages, but she didn’t reply either. She’s no longer taking my calls.”
Nana said this was unfortunate because she also introduced her friend to her, who needed to evict a group of people.
“He also paid R20 000 without any help.”
THE PERSON WHO INTRODUCED NANA TO THE CON-ADVOCATE
In his April 23 affidavit that Alex Reporter saw, Khunou, who is believed to be working with the Alexandra Magistrates Court, said:
“I have known a lady by the name of (name withheld) to be an attorney.
“She once assisted me with my legal matter when I was harassed and intimidated by a certain gentleman together with some people for managing some of the properties in Wynberg that I am a shareholder in.”
Khunoe stated in 2019, while he was doing his mediation, that he had been asked to recommend someone who might help with their legal representative, and he recommended the advocate.
He said the first person he referred to the advocate was Benny, then Tsandeke and the late Collins Mtengwa, and the last one was Zeph Mazibuko.
He said that he did not know that the people he referred to the advocate would be victimized.
“I brought all of them together to try to show that, on my side, I had no bad intentions,” read the affidavit.