defrauding the Road Accident Fund (RAF)
12 September 2006
Media statement by the office of the section head: media relations:
communication and liaison services, South African Police Service (SAPS),
Director Phuti Setati
The Commercial Branch of the South African Police Service arrested
fifty-four suspects for defrauding the RAF of over R1.5 million by submitting
fraudulent claims to the Road Accident Fund.
The accused appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crime Courts in Pretoria,
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 submitted to the RAF for payment of fictitious injuries
sustained in accidents that never occurred. The arrest of 34 suspects in
Gauteng and 20 in KwaZulu-Natal forms part of the ongoing joint initiative by
the SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority and the RAF to eliminate fraud
committed against the RAF.
The SAPS Commercial Branch is also investigating a number of fraud cases
against certain medical doctors alleged to have been involved in supplying
fraudsters with false medical certificates and reports that were used to
defraud the Road Accident Fund. More arrests are eminent.
Enquiries: Phuti Setati
Tel: (012) 393 5490/1
Cell: 082 778 4312
Fax: (012) 393 5527
Issued by: South African Police Service
12 September 2006
Source: South African Police Service (http://www.saps.gov.za)
