Mahikeng – Six people – some former employees of the old Department of Employment and Labour – have been arrested by the Hawks for fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims in the North West.
Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the suspects aged between 36 and 58 were arrested by the Hawks in Mahikeng on Saturday, (10 June 2023).
Narrating events leading to the arrests, Lieutenant Colonel Mathebula, said allegations were that two former employees of the old Department of Employment and Labour and four recruiting agents recruited jobless individuals between 2019 and 2020.
Allegations are that the jobless individuals were enticed with promises of jobs at the South African Revenue Services, the Nomalalemba Project, and other projects.
Others were allegedly told they were being assisted to lodge claims from the Drought Relief Fund.
“The claimants were allegedly each given R50 to open bank accounts; however, bank cards were kept by the suspects,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mathebula.
“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.
“Subsequently, the suspects allegedly processed their claims, resulting in the Department of Employment and Labour suffering a loss of over R2-million.”
The suspects will make their first appearance in Mahikeng District Court tomorrow, Monday, (12 June 2023), where they will be facing charges of fraud, money laundering, and theft.
