The fraud case involving another major Bloemfontein-based law firm, Matsepe Inc Attorneys, and a former employee is set to continue in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 8 September. A similar matter involving the Phatshoane Henney Inc. Attorneys and its former administrative clerk ended with a sentencing
The Matsepe firm’s matter involves Herman Daniel Badenhorst (34), who stands accused of allegedly defrauding the firm of R4 million. He faces charges of fraud and money laundering, having last appeared in court on 18 July. Badenhorst, who held the position of administrative clerk is currently out on bail of R10 000. He was dismissed by the firm upon discovering the alleged fraudulent activities.
The matter against Badenhorst was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bloemfontein for further investigation, which culminated in his arrest in May this year.
The alleged crime was committed during the period of February 2018 to January 2021.
Investigations by the elite crime fighting unit revealed that Badenhorst allegedly authorised payments from insolvent estate accounts and then filed the necessary requisitions for payments to be made into his personal bank accounts.
The Phatshoane firm’s case ended with the conviction and sentencing of its former administrative clerk, Giselle Taylor Maritz (45), last Friday (26/08). She was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment for defrauding the firm of R6 million. The court found her guilty of fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Electronic Communication and Transaction Act.
Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said Maritz sentencing was the culmination of an investigation launched in 2020. “Phatshoane Henney Inc. Attorneys discovered that Maritz was unlawfully transferring trust funds to her own personal bank account, and then to her mother’s bank account. Fraudulent transactions were done between 2015 and 2019,” he said. Singo said no money was recovered.
