Former attorney sentenced for theft of R5,3 million

The accused was a practicing attorney in Middelburg where clients deposited money into a trust account, whereby, he transferred the money into his business account which he utilized for day to day business at his firm and also paid employees` salaries and his debts totalling to R5.3 million.

Erhard Taljaard. Picture courtesy of Middlelburg Observer

Erhard Taljaard (56) was found guilty by the Pretoria Special Commercial Crime Court for Theft last Thursday.

Taljaard was sentenced to eight years imprisonment, of which three is suspended for four years on condition that the accused is not found guilty of any criminal offence or dishonesty as an element during the period of the suspension and he will then serve five years effectively.

He has since been sequestrated, discharged and removed from the roll as an attorney.