Last month, Hendrick Molefe pleaded guilty to defrauding the RAF and cutting a deal which saw him getting a lenient sentence in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.

The deal was that he would pay back the money to the RAF. He was fined R50,000 or three years' imprisonment for fraud and also sentenced to six years, suspended for five years.

Despite this conviction, Molefe is still a member of the Northern Province Law Society and his status is active. Jaco Fourie, senior legal officer in the society's disciplinary department,confirmed that Molefe was still a member.

"We were aware of his court case and subsequent conviction, but we have not had time to discuss his matter as it was finalised recently," Fourie said.

"The council will meet on the 27th of this month and Molefe's matter will be discussed then."

Molefe was arrested in January after an investigation by the RAF found that he had exaggerated the number of accident victims.

He was arrested with five other attorneys - DS Selahle, AS Mathumo, MP Phooko, SB Mabena and M Ramafolo - and tout Sello Moche and medical doctor Lebogang Mosweu. But charges against the five lawyers, who had commissioned claimants, were withdrawn due to lack of evidence.

The trial against Mosweu and Moche was separated from that of Molefe.

The RAF had paid Molefe R6-million for 98 claims from a bus accident. It was later discovered that only 30 people were in the accident.

The claims were submitted last year after a Botlhaba Tshwane Transport bus overturned and 30 people had approached Molefe's law firm to help them to claim for injuries suffered.

The claimants apparently had consulted Mosweu and the claims were submitted by Molefe, but the affidavits of the claimants were commissioned by five other lawyers.

It is believed third party claims lodged were referred to Mosweu, who provided medical certificates for claimants he had allegedly not physically examined.