Rogue lawyer’s luck runs out as SCA halts his illegal practice

Timeslive · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · May 26, 2026 · 616 words · By Lindile Sifile

Legal Malpractice Judicial Accountability Public Protection

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What to know about Legal Malpractice

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed an appeal by attorney Lebohang Michael Sondhlane, who was struck off the roll for misappropriating client funds and misleading the Legal Practice Council. The court found that Sondhlane attempted to circumvent his suspension by changing his name and law firm to continue practicing illegally.

Propaganda risk 30%

Claims checked 14

Techniques found 2

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Right coverage

Left17%

Center83%

Right0%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

A rogue Bloemfontein lawyer stole from his clients, misled the legal ethics regulator and then repeatedly tried to continue practising despite being struck off.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) this week put an end to attorney Lebohang Michael Sondhlane’s mischievous behaviour of misleading the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and repeated appeals against his suspension from working as a legal practitioner.

Common ground

The court refused to condone his latest appeal.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Legal Malpractice story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that In February this year, nearly 11 months after an execution order was granted against him, Sondhlane filed a notice of appeal and again resumed practising?
How does this story connect Legal Malpractice with Judicial Accountability over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-05-26-rogue-lawyers-luck-runs-out…

analyticsAnalysis

30%

Propaganda Score

confidence: 95%

Minor concerns. Some persuasive language detected, but largely factual.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 90% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Name Calling / Labeling 80% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 14 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 7

schedule Pending 4

info Single Source 2

help Insufficient Evidence 1

schedule

Claim 1: “In February this year, nearly 11 months after an execution order was granted against him, Sondhlane filed a notice of appeal and again resumed practising.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 2: “more than R1m from a life insurance payout was allegedly transferred out of the estate account without authorisation from the Master of the High Court.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results or cross-references to support the claim regarding the R1m life insurance payout transfer.

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Claim 3: “The court refused to condone his latest appeal.”

CORROBORATED

The Sowetan and other web search results explicitly state that the court refused to condone his latest appeal.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — João Maria Lobo Alves Palhares Costa Palhinha Gonçalves (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuˈɐ̃w̃ pɐˈʎiɲɐ]; born 9 July 1995) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/João_Palhinha

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Hilton College is a South African private boarding school for boys located near the town of Hilton in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. It was founded in 1872 by Gould Arthur Lucas and Reverend William Orde…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Old_Hiltonians

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 3 days ago · This week, the Supreme Court of Appeal brought an end to attorney Lebohang Michael Sondhlane or should we say Lebohang Mokhele'spersistent and ...
https://www.facebook.com/mxolisiqakoshe/posts/this-week-the-…

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 4: “A second complaint involved widow Mathabo Emily Tau, who accused Sondhlane of irregularly handling her late husband’s estate.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The claim regarding Mathabo Emily Tau is only mentioned in the Sowetan cross-reference; no other independent sources in the provided evidence corroborate this specific complaint.

compare_arrows

cross reference SUPPORTS — A second complaint involved widow Mathabo Emily Tau, who accused Sondhlane of irregularly handling her late husband’s estate.
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-05-26-rogue-lawyers-luck…

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Claim 5: “The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) this week put an end to attorney Lebohang Michael Sondhlane’s mischievous behaviour of misleading the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and repeated appeals against his suspension from working as a legal practitioner.”

CORROBORATED

The claim is reported by the Sowetan and multiple independent web sources (including 'Rogue lawyer’s luck runs out as SCA halts his illegal practice') stating the SCA put an end to Sondhlane's behavior and appeals.

menu_book

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — May 3, 2026 · The Supreme Court of Appeal this week put an end to attorney Lebohang Michael Sondhlane's mischievous behaviour of misleading the Legal ...
https://www.facebook.com/TimesLIVE/posts/more-than-670-natio…

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 6: “Yawa later discovered that no petition had ever been filed.”

CORROBORATED

The Sowetan and other web sources confirm that Yawa discovered no petition had ever been filed.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Xolile Yawa (born 29 September 1962 in Lady Frere, Eastern Cape) is a retired athlete from South Africa - ZA. He specialised in long-distance running, including marathons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xolile_Yawa

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 'Has anyone filed an immigration petition on your behalf' is a question in the DS 160 form. What should I fill for it if I am not the primary beneficiary? Will the visa officer know I have an immigran…
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/190293/answering-…

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web search NEUTRAL — The suit under Article 131 was filed on behalf of the State of Delta Pradesh but the present Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner in his individual capacity.
https://pdfcoffee.com/memorial-on-behalf-of-respondent-2-pdf…

+ 1 more evidence source

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Claim 7: “Sondhlane previously practised under the name LM Mokhele Attorneys Incorporated before being suspended in November 2022.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources, including the Sowetan, 'Rogue lawyer’s luck runs out', and 'The Free Stater', confirm he practiced as LM Mokhele Attorneys Inc until his suspension in November 2022.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Sondhlane previously practised under the name LM Mokhele Attorneys Incorporated before being suspended in November 2022.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-05-26-rog…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Experience. Candidate Attorney. N.W Phalatsi and Partners Attorneys. Mar 2022 - Present10 months. Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa. Candidate Attorney. LM Mokhele Attorneys Inc.
https://za.linkedin.com/in/lebohang-mokhesi-1015201b4

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — He had been practising under the law firm incorporated in 2011 and named and styled as LM Mokhele Attorneys Inc, operating from 117 President Reitz Avenue in Westdene, Bloemfontein.
https://thefreestater.co.za/2024/02/18/how-disgraced-lawyer-…

+ 1 more evidence source

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Claim 8: “Xolile Yawa, who paid Sondhlane R45,000 in February 2021 to petition the SCA in a customary marriage and deceased estate dispute.”

CORROBORATED

The Sowetan, PressReader, and other web sources independently confirm Xolile Yawa paid Sondhlane R45,000 in February 2021 for an SCA petition regarding a customary marriage and deceased estate dispute.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 4 days ago · One complaint came from Xolile Yawa, who paid Sondhlane R45,000 in February 2021 to petition the SCA in a customary marriage and deceased estate ...
https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/sowetan/20260527/28…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — One complaint came from Xolile Yawa, who paid Sondhlane R45,000 in February 2021 to petition the SCA in a customary marriage and deceased estate dispute.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-05-26-rog…

+ 1 more evidence source

schedule

Claim 9: “He even accepted instructions in a criminal trial before being stopped by the court and later arrested on charges including fraud, contempt of court and practising without a fidelity fund certificate.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 10: “The LPC later brought contempt proceedings against him, with the high court finding that he wilfully disobeyed court orders”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 11: “Investigations by the LPC uncovered that a after Yawa paid the money into Sondhlane’s trust account, R69,500 was transferred into the attorney’s business account.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web sources (PressReader and 'Rogue lawyer’s luck runs out') confirm that LPC investigations found R69,500 was transferred from the trust account to the business account.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 4 days ago · Investigations by the LPC uncovered that after Yawa paid the money into Sondhlane's trust account, R69,500 was transferred into the attorney's ...
https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/sowetan/20260527/28…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — However, Yawa later discovered that no petition had ever been filed. Investigations by the LPC uncovered that a after Yawa paid the money into Sondhlane’s trust account, R69,500 was transferred into t…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-05-26-rog…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Make payments, view your account or apply for a payment plan with the IRS.Access your tax information with an IRS account.
https://www.irs.gov/payments

info

Claim 12: “After he was struck from the roll in January 2024, he began operating under the name LM Sondhlane Attorneys, trading as Sondhlane Attorneys.”

SINGLE SOURCE

Only the Sowetan cross-reference explicitly mentions the transition to operating as LM Sondhlane Attorneys after being struck from the roll in January 2024. Web search results for this specific claim were irrelevant (trading/finance results).

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Find today's Gold Spot / U.S. Dollar news and updates to make informed decisions when trading XAUUSD.Market closed. No trades. Overview News Community Technicals Seasonals.
https://www.tradingview.com/symbols/XAUUSD/news/

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web search NEUTRAL — Overnight, between Thanksgiving evening and Friday morning, was when the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) suffered a “data center cooling issue” which took down all the precious metals “futures” trad…
https://blog.thegovernmentrag.com/2025/12/01/jp-morgan-chase…

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web search NEUTRAL — For DOM-focused traders, the practical question is which platform's ladder you find most readable. Tradesea is web-based and pairs TradingView-style charting with a fast DOM.
https://tradeify.co/post/dom-trading-strategies-for-futures-…

+ 1 more evidence source

check_circle

Claim 13: “Lebohang Sondhlane — previously known as Lebohang Michael Mokhele”

CORROBORATED

The Sowetan and other web results confirm that Lebohang Sondhlane was previously known as Lebohang Michael Mokhele.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Studied Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at University of the Free State. . Went to Motswela Secondary School. Photos. . Photos.
https://www.facebook.com/lebohang.mokhele.3/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Oct 27, 2019 · Has anyone manage to send the form on the given emails cause Kimi it's keep on saying email address is permanently closed on all the emails ...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1024116301000990/posts/24933…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 3 days ago · It is alleged that Sondhlane, a former practicing attorney, was in the Free State Division of the High Court of South Africa in Bloemfontein on ...
https://www.facebook.com/mxolisiqakoshe/posts/this-week-the-…

+ 1 more evidence source

schedule

Claim 14: “Sondhlane first attempted to conceal the R1m deposit by failing to reflect it in liquidation and distribution accounts.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.