A bogus attorney in Johannesburg, Zuko Madikane, has finally had his suspended three-year prison sentence activated after failing to pay R44,000 in court-ordered restitution to a businessman he defrauded.

The scam occurred in 2019 when Madikane and his co-accused, Judge Sibanda, posed as legal professionals to trick the owner of a high-turnover News Cafe in Newtown, convincing him to pay R88,000 under the impression they were handling a high court matter.The fraud significantly contributed to the collapse of the victim’s R12 million-a-year business.

In 2023, the magistrate’s court sentenced Madikane to three years’ imprisonment, suspended on condition of repayment, while Sibanda received a nine-month suspended sentence with a similar repayment condition.Both men unsuccessfully attempted to overturn their convictions via the Johannesburg High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Under Section 297(9) of the Criminal Procedure Act, a judicial officer may enforce the original punishment if the conditions of suspension are violated.Following the breach, Madikane must begin serving his three-year term immediately.Sibanda’s sentence remains suspended, contingent on a structured repayment of R10,000 over three months.The court’s ruling underlines the importance of compliance with restitution orders and accountability for fraudulent actions in the legal system.