Disbarred attorney rearrested for fraud and theft of R500 000

The Hawks in the Western Cape have rearrested a former attorney and conveyancer for charges of fraud and theft in excess of R500 000.

57-year-old Rugaya Van Der Schyff was arrested in Cape Town on Thursday, following a warrant of arrest.

Spokesperson, Zinzi Hani said Van Der Schyff was struck off from the roll of attorney, five years ago,following an interdict application which was lodged in 2016 and was subsequently arrested on the 28 March 2019 for misappropriating almost R4.8 million from a trust fund. Van Der Schyff was released on R20 000 bail on these fraud charges.

‘’Additional to this, she allegedly continued facilitating offers to purchase several properties from 2019, to date, knowing fully well her exclusion from her professional practise handed down by the Western Cape High Court.’’

‘’These new allegations maintained the impression that she was an attorney and conveyancer entitled to practice as such. She allegedly misled the community which resulted in their financial detriment. The misappropriation was done in her professional capacity as an additional duty of care and diligence in dealing with the transfer of properties and the Registrar of Deeds,’’ added Hani.

Van der Schyff appeared in the Strand Magistrate Court on Friday, 21 and the case was postponed to Thursday for a formal bail application.

 

Done By: Mitchum George