The diligent efforts of law enforcement have led to the arrest of a 52-year-old foreign national in East London on charges related to Road Accident Fund (RAF) fraud and corruption. Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, the Provincial Head of the Hawks, commended the East London-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) team of the Hawks, in collaboration with East London Crime Intelligence (CI), for their pivotal role in apprehending the suspect on February 7, 2024.
The investigation was sparked by an alleged hit-and-run incident that occurred at the intersection of Voortrekker Road and Emily Hobhouse Road in the Goodwood area of Cape Town in July 2011. In this incident, a minor was struck by an unidentified vehicle that fled the scene, prompting a claim to be filed with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) on behalf of the victim.
However, discrepancies arose when inquiries into the claim revealed that over R2 million, supposedly awarded to the victim, had been deposited into a trust account held by a law firm based in Southernwood, East London. The suspect, serving as the sole signatory of the account, allegedly misappropriated these funds for personal use, rather than disbursing them to the intended recipient.
Following thorough investigations by the SCCI team of the Hawks, it was discovered that the funds intended for the victim had never reached her, leading to the arrest of the suspect. The arrest, carried out jointly by the SCCI team of the Hawks and East London Crime Intelligence, culminated in the suspect being scheduled to appear in the East London Specialised Commercial Crime Court on February 8, 2024.
The arrest underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat fraud and corruption, particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals such as victims of road accidents. The public is urged to report any suspicious activities or irregularities to the authorities to ensure justice and accountability prevail in our society.
