Pretoria Attorney Accused of Defrauding Clients in Multi-Million Rand Property Scheme

Pretoria’s legal community is reeling after Pretus Thobejane, 54, a former attorney at Thobejane PM Attorneys, appeared in court this week facing 31 counts of theft totaling R8.3 million. The allegations paint a troubling picture of a trusted legal professional allegedly exploiting clients seeking property conveyancing services.

The case, which came before Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, highlights ongoing concerns about attorney misconduct in South Africa and has already sparked debate on social media over professional accountability and client protection.

How the Alleged Scheme Worked

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the alleged offences took place between November 2024 and October 2025.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana explained that Thobejane allegedly offered conveyancing services to clients buying property. After agreements were reached, complainants transferred funds to him, trusting him to manage the transactions.

“However, after receiving the money, Thobejane allegedly failed to render any service, became unreachable, and did not refund the funds,” Mahanjana said.

The repeated pattern reportedly affected multiple clients, leading to a total financial loss of R8.3 million.

Police and Legal Action

Following the complaints, the Legal Practice Council (LPC) referred the matter to the police, prompting investigations across multiple stations.

Thobejane was arrested on 13 November 2025 at his Centurion residence. The case was postponed to 24 November 2025 for further bail investigations.

Social media users have expressed shock and concern over the alleged misconduct, with many questioning how a legal professional could allegedly exploit clients in such a systematic way. Some have called for stricter monitoring of attorneys handling client funds, echoing longstanding concerns within South Africa’s legal sector.

A Broader Pattern of Attorney Misconduct

This case comes amid heightened attention on alleged attorney fraud in South Africa. Last year, an 80-year-old attorney, Solomon Slom, was granted bail after allegedly misappropriating R39 million from a trust fund while attached to Fluxman Attorneys.

At the time, the Hawks’ serious commercial crime unit investigated Slom for failing to administer a client account holding about R45 million, highlighting a disturbing pattern of misuse of client funds in property and trust-related matters.

The Thobejane case underscores a critical need for vigilance in monitoring attorneys and protecting vulnerable clients from financial abuse.

As Thobejane awaits his next court appearance, the legal profession faces renewed scrutiny. Advocates, clients, and oversight bodies are increasingly calling for stricter enforcement of fiduciary responsibilities and improved transparency in property transactions.

For the public, the case serves as a stark reminder to carefully vet legal practitioners, particularly those handling substantial sums or property transactions.

With South Africa’s property market booming, the stakes are high and so too is the need for professional integrity.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com