The Sibasa Regional Court granted bail of R10 000 to advocate Erick Matlou on 20 August. The 47-year-old advocate was arrested on 17 August after he had allegedly defrauded a local businessman of about R215 000.
Matlou, who owns a law firm, allegedly promised the businessman two stands, the value of which he said were R500 000. The businessman is said to have paid R215 000 as a deposit for the stands. The complainant in the case alleges that he became suspicious and investigated the land which was supposed to be his, whereafter he established that the land was not for sale.
Matlou was arrested by the Hawks in Limpopo.
According to the provincial spokesperson for the SAPS, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, more fraud cases are likely to be added because the initial investigations revealed that there are more complainants, especially from the Indian community. The police are also appealing to anyone who might have experienced problems in dealings with Matlou to come forward.
The advocate's bail conditions include that he must not interfere in the investigation or make contact with witnesses. Matlou will appear in court again on 25 September 2012.