Fake Lawyer Jailed for Six Years After Defrauding Clients in Court Scam

In a striking victory against legal fraud and professional impersonation, the Specialised Commercial Crime Court sitting in Rustenburg has sentenced Johannes Tebogo Motse to six years of direct imprisonment following his conviction on several serious criminal charges, including fraud, theft, forgery, and uttering.

Motse, who posed as a qualified lawyer, was found guilty of three counts of fraud, two counts of forgery, two counts of uttering, and one count of theft, all stemming from his unlawful impersonation of a legal practitioner in 2022. The ruling is being hailed as a firm stance by South African authorities to protect the integrity of the country’s legal system and shield the public from professional exploitation.

A Calculated Deception of Justice

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Motse carried out an elaborate scam by presenting himself as a legitimate attorney and representing unsuspecting clients in various courts during 2022. To lend credibility to his masquerade, he forged critical legal credentials, including:

• A right of appearance certificate,

• A fidelity fund certificate, and

• An admission certificate, all of which are required by law to practice as a legal professional in South Africa.

These fraudulent documents allowed him to infiltrate judicial spaces undetected for some time, exploiting public trust in the legal system.

Victims and Legal Fallout

One of the known victims, believing Motse to be a legitimate attorney, paid him R15,000 to handle a legal appeal. After receiving no service or communication, the client became suspicious and reported the incident to police. Further investigation revealed that Motse was never registered with the Legal Practice Council of South Africa, the statutory body responsible for the regulation of legal practitioners.

Once arrested and charged, Motse pleaded guilty to all charges. The NPA proceeded to argue for a harsh sentence given the nature and frequency of similar crimes within the region.

Sentencing Breakdown

Delivering the judgment, the court handed Motse:

• Six years of direct imprisonment for the combined counts of fraud, forgery, and uttering.

• Two years’ imprisonment for theft, which was wholly suspended for five years, on the condition that he repays the R15,000 to the complainant by 31 August 2025.

Additionally, the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, citing the severity and calculated nature of his offences.

NPA’s Response: Zero Tolerance for Bogus Lawyers

State Advocate Matshidiso Ramakgaphola, speaking in aggravation of the sentence, emphasized that Motse’s crimes were premeditated, deceptive, and highly damaging to public trust. The court agreed that such conduct required a custodial sentence not only to punish the offender but also to send a clear message to potential fraudsters that the justice system will not tolerate impersonation or exploitation.

Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, welcomed the verdict, stating:

“These sentences underscore the NPA’s commitment to combating bogus legal practitioners and protecting the integrity of the legal profession and the public.”

Dr Makhari added that the sentence was a warning to others engaging in similar criminal activity and that the justice system would continue to act decisively against anyone undermining the rule of law.

The Broader Impact on Legal Integrity

Cases like that of Johannes Tebogo Motse reflect growing concerns over the rise of fake professionals operating across various sectors, particularly in law, medicine, and finance. The ruling is seen as a much-needed precedent to preserve the ethical standing of the legal community and safeguard clients from irreparable damage—financial and otherwise—at the hands of fraudulent operators.

With South Africa working to restore public trust in its institutions amid years of State Capture fallout, the conviction and sentencing of bogus professionals like Motse represent a meaningful step toward justice and reform.