A former attorney, Ignatius Potgieter (51), appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Bellville, Cape Town, on Wednesday facing charges of fraud exceeding R720 000.
“Ignatius Potgieter was on January 2012, appointed as an executor of the estate worth over R580 000. That was on behalf of two siblings following the passing of their father in December 2011,” said police spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalase.
“Furthermore, Ignatius Potgieter was again appointed as an executor of the estate worth over R140 000. That was on behalf of a father, who lost his son in December 2011.”
Ignatius Potgieter unlawfully defrauded estate benefactors
According to the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, between January and December 2012, Potgieter defrauded the benefactors of these estates.
“He was subsequently struck off the roll of attorneys since March 2016. He had since reimbursed the complainants a total of R150 000.”
Capt Nkwalase said, as a result, Ignatius Potgieter was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Three years were suspended for five years with stringent conditions.
The Hawks’ Provincial Head in Western Cape, Major General Nombuso Portia Khoza has welcomed the sentence. He hops it would serve as a deterrent to other professionals to uphold the rule of law.
