Ronald Lamola-linked law firm allegedly defrauded RAF R2 million

A law firm that is linked to Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola was listed among the 102 firms that defrauded the Road Accident Fund over R300 million.

The name of the firm, Ndobela and Lamola Incorporated, appeared in a leaked letter, dated 5 March 2021. The letter was written by the RAF to the Legal Practice Council.

It showed that the Lamola-linked company was among firm that had allegedly defrauded the state entity.

RONALD LAMOLA-LINKED LAW FIRM ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDS RAF

According to City Press, senior legal manager, Gontse Baloyi wrote to the Legal Practice Council to conduct investigations in terms of Section 37(1) of the Legal Practice Act into the conduct of 102 law firms that collectively owe the Road Accident Fund a whopping R340 060 277.97 as of 1 March 2021.

NDOBELA AND LAMOLA INC DENIES FRAUD ALLEGATIONS

In a statement, the firm’s director Howard Ndobela confirmed that duplicate payments were made into its trust account. “These monies were returned to the Road Accident Fund once it was apparent to us that duplicate payments had been made.

“It is misleading that our firm has failed and or refused to reimburse the RAF as alleged in the leaked correspondence from the Road Accident Fund dated 5 March 2021. Furthermore, proof of payment regarding the alleged duplicate payments was sent to the Road Accident Fund on the on 17 March 2021,” Ndobela said.

Ndobela and Lamola Incorporated also stipulated that Minister Ronald Lamola resigned from the firm in 2019 and is not involved in any aspect of its work.

According to IOL, RAF spokesperson William Maphutha denied the matter had been settled and said the agency would verify the payments made. He said the firm should not act like they do not know the truth.

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