Cape Town - The fraud case against a paralegal accused of pretending to be an attorney was delayed on Friday because of a shortage of beds for patients sent by courts for psychiatric observation.
Chris Lodewyk, 46, appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Friday before magistrate Sabrina
Sonnenberg.
Prosecutor Xolile Jonas told the court there were no beds available for psychiatric observation at the Valkenberg psychiatric hospital.
Jonas said Lodewyk was number 180 on the waiting list.
Lodewyk was referred for psychiatric assessment after psychiatrist Wayne Sanders told the court he suffered from severe depression.
Sanders said Lodewyk had not suffered from depression at the time he allegedly committed the offences, and that the depression was the result of an abusive and manipulative relationship in which he was caught.
Lodewyk faces two counts of illegally practising as an attorney, one of practising as an attorney without the required Fidelity Fund Certificate, two of fraud and three of theft.
According to the charge sheet, he practised as a paralegal under the name Legal Max, and advertised himself in Gumtree, on the internet.
Among others, he allegedly received R50 280 from Richard Watkins between 2008 and 2011, and R79 600 from Werner Schreuder between 2010 and 2012, for legal work he did not do.
Lodewyk allegedly falsely informed Watkins that his dispute with a motor dealership had gone to court and that a ruling had been made in his favour, with costs.
It is alleged that Schreuder engaged Lodewyk to defend him in a high court litigation, which Lodewyk failed to do.
As a result, a civil judgment was granted against Schreuder, but the first he knew of it “and Lodewyk's alleged failure to act for him” was a visit from the sheriff to attach his car.
Lodewyk also allegedly obtained R216 000 for investment from Richard and Elizabeth Dickenson in 2008, after falsely informing them that he was a registered investment broker.
Lodewyk was to invest the money with First Stage Holdings Ltd, at between 16 and 18 percent interest a year, but allegedly kept the money for himself.
The three theft charges are based on the fraud charges involving Watkins, Schreuder and the Dickenson couple.
The remaining three charges involve alleged violations of the Attorneys' Act.
Lodewyk was warned to appear on August 12 and is out on R25 000 bail. - Sapa