The HAWKS in the Free State have arrested a 39-year-old former advocate for corruption, extortion, impersonating an advocate and conspiracy to commit an offense in Bloemfontein on Wednesday afternoon.
It is alleged that the former advocate was approached by the family of the nine accused in a case of theft of diesel and racketeering who were to be sentenced by the Free State High Court, to be a mediator between them and the high court judge in order to acquit the accused in all charges.
The advocate, who had already been disbanded from practicing by the Free State Law Bar Council of Advocates, was allegedly given R80 000-00 by the family, believing that it was a deposit for the R500 000-00 which they had to give to the judge to have the nine accused freed.
The nine suspects have already been found guilty and are due to be sentenced in October 2016. The former advocate will appear before Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
