DISBARRED ADVOCATE FRAUD CASE POSTPONED

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By: Neo Ntsele

Disbarred Advocate Lerata Shadrack Mashee (50) appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday 23, for alleged fraud, money laundering, and contravention of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014.

The case against Lerata Shadrack Mashee was postponed to 2 March 2026 for bail application.

The accused had been on the run since September 2025 until on 23 February 2026 when members of the Hawks, Tactical Response Team, and Crime Intelligence cornered him in Botshabelo where he was in hiding.

Several complainants had reported Mashee to the Legal Practice Council and Hawks.

It is alleged that, between 2019 and 2022, victims deposited a cumulative R890 000 into the accused’s bank accounts.

This was after they had seen houses for sale advertised in a local newspaper and took interest.

Mashee was the supposed conveyancer.

Victims became suspicious when time elapsed without them moving into their new homes.

It was later revealed that the accused was not certified to act as a conveyancer.