JOHANNESBURG - Authorities in the state of Connecticut, USA, have confirmed that Paul Ngobeni, the new legal advisor to Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, is a fugitive from justice.
In response to a query from Politicsweb Mark A. Dupuis, Communications Officer for the Division of Criminal Justice, State of Connecticut confirmed that "The status of the case remains unchanged, the charges are pending and Paul Ngobeni is a fugitive from justice in the State of Connecticut."
Ngobeni is currently facing a series of criminal charges in Connecticut. These are of forgery in the 3rd degree, larceny in the 4th degree, larceny in the 3rd degree and larceny in the 6th degree. In November 2007 Robaina, J granted Ngobeni's motion to dismiss one charge, that of "practice of law by a person not an attorney." However, Ngobeni's motion to have the other charges dismissed was denied by the court.
Ngobeni was due to appear in court in Connecticut on March 28 2008. However, he failed to turn up and a re-arrest warrant was issued.
Ngobeni told Jan-Jan Joubert of City Press that Dupuis was "talking rubbish. A court dismissed part of the case against me and leave t appeal on the rest was granted on March 10 2008. I can't be a fugitive while my appeal is pending. He has it wrong."
Ngobeni is also permanently prohibited from practising law in Connecticut, after ethical misconduct charges were brought against him. According the Connecticut legal practice book (PDF) "The superior court may, under the procedure provided herein, permit the resignation of an attorney... against whom a presentment for misconduct under Section 2-47 is pending." Although Ngobeni did not have to sign an admission of guilt he did, according to the regulations, "waive the privilege of applying for readmission to the [Connecticut] bar at any future time." Ngobeni confirmed this to City Press saying, "I don't want to go back there anyway."
Ngobeni also admitted to City Press that he lacked South African legal qualification. However, he stated he was eligible to practice law through an exemption granted by the minister of justice, under the Recognition of Foreign Legal Qualifications and Practice Amendment Act of 1995.
"I believe the DA racist bastards are hiding behind so-called parliamentary privilege to abuse my name", City Press quoted Ngobeni as saying.
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