AlgoaFM News
A disbarred attorney from Gqeberha was arrested at her home in Harrower Road in Gqeberha on Tuesday morning after she failed to appear in the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court.
Ann Swanepoel was previously found guilty on 11 charges involving fraud, contempt of court and contravening the attorney's act.
The State wanted her bail to be revoked after she allegedly broke several of her bail conditions, and Judgment was expected on Tuesday.
State Prosecutor, Advocate Ulrica De Klerk, told the court that Swanepoel handed in a medical certificate on Monday which indicated that she had been diagnosed with depression, severe stress and had suffered a nervous breakdown.
Advocate De Klerk said following receipt of the certificate, she phoned Doctor J.K Van Staden who confirmed that Swanepoel indeed came for a consultation.
According to Advocate De Klerk, Doctor Van Staden said Swanepoel was hysterical during the 15-minute long appointment.
He further told her that Swanepoel was not a regular patient and only brings her son for doctor's visits once or twice a year.
The court further heard that Dr Van Staden told Swanepoel to visit a psychiatrist but did not refer her to one.
Swanepoel also did not want a prescription and indicated that she had the necessary medication at home.
Advocate De Klerk then called the accused's mother to the stand, who gave evidence in support of the warrant of arrest being issued immediately.
On the stand, Swanepoel's mother testified that her daughter seemed fine on Monday as they still dropped her son off at school.
The mother, who broke down crying in court, said Ann only arrived home after 6 am on Tuesday and was sleeping when she left for court.
Detectives went to the house to arrest Swanepoel before hauling her to court.
Her attorney Advocate Louisa Roux asked for the matter to be postponed, stating that her client was clearly under the influence of some medication as she appeared to be confused.
The matter was postponed until Thursday.
Swanepoel will be kept in custody at the hospital section of a correctional services facility in the City.
Swanepoel arrested by detectives at her home in Harrower Road.
