Rustenburg – The Rustenburg Regional Court has issued a warrant of arrest against 52-year-old disbarred attorney Betty Diale for failing to appear in court to face theft charges.
Diale is facing six charges of theft, amounting to about R700 000, allegedly stolen from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) claimants.
The accused’s trial was supposed to begin on Tuesday, (26 September 2023), but she failed to show up and provided no reasons to the court for her absence.
All necessary documents were provided to her in preparation for trial, as Diale had opted to represent herself.
Police reports reveal that the Legal Practice Fidelity Fund received several complaints from the RAF claimants, whose payments were deposited into Diale’s trust account.
The claimants alleged that the said money did not reach them after the payout, and subsequently reported to the police for investigation.
Diale was practicing as an attorney during the alleged commission of the crimes between 2009 and 2011 and was subsequently charged with six counts of theft in June 2021.
The Legal Practice Council has struck her off the roll, preventing her from practising as an attorney.
NPA Regional Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said a new trial date will be set once she is arrested.
