Government employees defrauds government of R 2million

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Former Department of Employment and Labour employees are set make court appearance today together with other co-accused for allegedly defrauding the UIF of R 2million.

Police Spokesperson Lt Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said that the six suspects were arrested this past Saturday by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and the Priority Crime Specialised Investigation unit for alleged fraudulent claims from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

The two government employees were stationed at the North West Provincial Government at the Mahikeng and Klerksdorp offices respectively at the time of allegedly committing the crime in 2019 and 2020.

They recruited four other suspects who were given a task of recruiting unsuspecting victims.

“Some of the claimants were allegedly informed that they were being assisted to lodge claims from the Drought Relief Fund; while others were allegedly claiming money from UIF; others were allegedly informed that they would be employed at the South African Revenue Services, while others were allegedly informed that they would be employed at Nomalalemba Project and other projects.”

“The claimants were allegedly each given R50 to open bank accounts; however, bank cards were kept by the suspects. In addition, the claimants were allegedly made to complete UIF claim forms masquerading as former employees of Impala Platinum mine and Sibanye Ashanti Gold mine.”

Lt Colonel Mathebula said that as a result of these crimes, the Department of labour ended up losing over R 2million in false claims.

The are due to appear before Mahikeng District Court on charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.