Lawyer stole millions

’Depressed’ attorney pocketed clients’ inheritance money

A “DEPRESSED” Midrand attorney, Lynete Naomi Brijraj, helped herself to nearly R7million in inheritance money meant for her clients.

Brijraj was accused by three clients of misappropriating funds from their deceased relatives’ estates. Last month, she was struck off the roll of attorneys, which prohibits her from practising again. The amounts taken ranged from R150 000 to R3-million.

Nadira Harripersad, the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society’s deputy manager of regulatory affairs, said the missing funds totalled R6 774 460.22. She said although it was clear that Brijraj experienced “personal problems and was in a depressive state,” her behaviour towards her clients, who had put their trust in her, dictated that she be struck off the roll.

Brijraj, 41, was enrolled as an attorney in 1998. She was based in Durban, where she committed the offences, and later relocated to Gauteng.

The three complainants approached the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society late last year, each after unsuccessfully attempting to recover money owed to them. According to the society’s documents filed in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, Brijraj admitted using money belonging to her clients.

During the society’s investigation, she admitted there were other cases in which she had taken funds from clients.

Brijraj did not oppose the society’s application.

“Brijraj . . . provided to the inspection committee a list of monies misappropriated from at least 24 other estates that were handled by her.”

Edgar Nonyongo, one of her clients, lost his wife in 2011. In his complaint to the society, he said the attorney owed him R158 000, which he needed to support his three children.

“Nonyongo is desperate and highly stressed, and this has primarily been caused by Brijraj’s conduct. He desperately needs the money to take care of school fees for his children,” said the society.

Another victim was Agnes Mkhize of Port Shepstone, who approached Brijraj for assistance after the death of both her mother and her brother.

She said Brijraj appointed herself as the executor of the estate, giving Mkhize R100 000 and keeping R300 000 for herself. “She said she would give me the remainder of the money in January 2013,” said Mkhize.

After repeated attempts to get the outstanding funds, she was given a cheque five months later that bounced. “I no longer trust attorneys. I am disappointed that an attorney would take such an amount from a client,” she said.

Sibahle Yalo lost R3-million of her businessman father’s estate. She said Brijraj was “always running away from us”.

Brijraj did not respond to repeated attempts by Sunday Times Extra to contact her.

Attorney Siva Chetty, who filed the society’s application, said the court’s ruling was not the end of Brijraj’s legal woes. Complainants can now claim from the Attorneys’ Fidelity Fund for the outstanding money. If the victims are successful, the fund could pursue criminal charges against Brijraj. The fund did not respond to queries.