Two lawyers and a retail manager from Kwazulu Natal appeared in the Commercial Crimes Court in Durban after they allegedly defrauded the estate of a deceased lady of nearly R78 million rand.
The German woman was living with her employee at his Durban North Home until the day she died. She also nominated him as the sole beneficiary in her will.
Upon her death in 2014, the employee sought legal assistance to help him with the administration of the estate.
He was given a few thousand Rand by the accused and instructed to go home while they start the process on his behalf.
Police Spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said when the man made some enquiries a few months later, he learned that the three accused had allegedly altered the deceased's signature and made themselves the beneficiaries.
He said by then the victim informed her family in Germany who opened a case of fraud at the Durban North Police Station.
Mhlongo said the case was transferred to the Hawks who finally made an arrest last week.
The 62-year-old retail manager Pamela Pillay, and the two lawyers Rodney Reddy, 51, and Pravin Rajadene, 55 were arrested and dragged to court immediately where they were each granted bail of two thousand rand.
The State also managed to obtain a preservation order against them.
Their next court appearance is on the 4th of February 2019.
pic: One of the accused Rodney Reddy (Facebook)
