The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has hailed the sentencing of Kagiso Josias Selomane as a victory in the fight against fraudulent legal practitioners. NPA communications officer in North West, Sivenathi Gunya, said that between 2011 and 2015, Selomane operated across the province and in Johannesburg, convincing unsuspecting clients that he was a qualified legal professional capable of handling their divorce and labour disputes.

“He misled victims into believing that he was a qualified lawyer who could represent them in divorce and labour matters, and even pretended to be an executor at a major bank,” said Gunya.

Elaborate deception exposed

According to reports, Selomane instructed victims to wait in empty courtrooms, claiming that their cases had been postponed, even though no court proceedings were scheduled. Over four years, his fraudulent activities siphoned off a substantial amount of money from his victims.

Selomane was arrested on 20 October 2015 after his victims reported him to the police. During the trial, he initially pleaded guilty to only four of the nine counts of fraud.

However, State Advocate Rodger Mareume argued that the plea was not genuine, pointing to Selomane’s lack of remorse and his failure to reimburse his victims.

Court highlights premeditation

In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Samuel Mabogo emphasised the premeditated nature of the crimes, which were carried out over several years. The court also noted that Selomane had previous fraud convictions dating back to 2017.

The court imposed sentences ranging from three to eleven years for each of the nine counts of fraud. Some sentences will run concurrently, leading to an effective 20-year imprisonment. Selomane was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Mareume for finalising the case.

NPA welcomes verdict

“These sentences underscore the NPA’s commitment to combating bogus legal practitioners and protecting both the integrity of the legal profession and the public,” said Makhari, welcoming the court’s decision.

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