A ‘mind losing’ physiotherapist appearing in a case of alleged fraud together with three former employees of the Department of Labour’s (DoL) Compensation Fund (CF) is expected to appear in the Pretoria Specialised Crime Court on Monday 19 March 2012.
Physiotherapist Jones Mothemola Modau from Rustenburg is appearing together with former civil servants Maxwell Ramaphosa, Samuel Mfeleng, and Kgabo Methi. During the last court appearance on 2 March 2012 Modau through his legal representative, Advocate Keitumetsi Mogale told the Court that her client would be unable to follow proceedings due to his state of mind and instead asked for a remand.
Mogale told the court that on the eve of Modau’s appearance she discovered in her interaction with her client that he ‘was not in his mind’. Modau was said to have been hospitalised a few weeks earlier following a form of phosphate poisoning and was detained in hospital for two weeks.
She told the Court that her client was on medication, which she suspects may be the reason he seemed to ‘lose his mind’.
Mogale said that while going through some documents she discovered that Modau seemed to be forgetful, and she had to repeatedly explain certain aspects contained in the documents.
Mogale assured the court that her client would ‘return to his mind once he completes his medication’ and would be ready at the next appearance.
The four defendants are all out on a warning. They face three counts of fraud and 14 counts of money laundering involving about R500 000.
Ramaphosa, Mfeleng and Methi are accused of acting in furtherance of common purpose after recruiting Modau to submit his practice number for fraudulent payments to be made to his account from DoL’s Compensation Fund. Modau is alleged to have not rendered any service.
Ramaphosa and Mfeleng are embroiled in other two alleged fraud cases. The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour. The Fund covers workers injured or disabled at work or diseases sustained from the hazardous work environment.
‘Mind losing’ physio expected to appear in Court
