14 June 2007
The Road Accident Fund Task Team comprising the Commercial Branch of the
South African Police Service (SAPS), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and
the forensic investigators attached to the Road Accident Fund (RAF) arrested 80
suspects who are alleged to have submitted fraudulent claims totalling more
than R3,7 million to the Road Accident Fund both in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal
during May this year.
The accused appeared in the Specialised Commercial Courts in Johannesburg
and Durban. According to reports, the accused, inter alia, colluded with touts
(persons who recruit people to submit fraudulent claims to the RAF) to
fabricate information with regard to fictitious vehicle accidents. False claims
were allegedly submitted to the RAF for payment of fictitious injuries
sustained in accidents that never occurred.
The arrest of the 80 suspects forms part of the ongoing effort by the Task
Team to eliminate fraud committed against the RAF. More arrests are expected to
follow as the RAF, NPA and South African Police Service intensify their joint
fight against fraudsters targeting the RAF.
In separate but related incidents in May 2007 only, 15 accused in
KwaZulu-Natal and 13 in Gauteng were convicted and sentenced to lengthy jail
terms on charges of fraud. The Task Team's investigation is currently targeting
syndicates comprising touts, taxi drivers, medical doctors and claimants who
are set to be operating in Durban and Johannesburg and the net is fast closing
on them.
Enquiries:
Phuti Setati
Tel: 012 393 5488/9
Issued by: South African Police Service
14 June 2007
