Maxwell Ramaphosa (36) and Samuel Mfeleng (36) - both from Soshanguve will tomorrow (February 27) appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding the Department of Labour’s (DoL) Compensation Fund (CF) 2,1-million.
The duo faces 15 counts of fraud and 26 counts of money laundering. Ramaphosa and Mfeleng have pleaded not guilty. The men are out on a bail of R3 000. Ramaphosa and Mfeleng, former employees of the Department of Labour’s CF were allegedly working together with convicted fraud physiotherapist Jurry Bonewamang Sehunoe from Rustenburg.
The two are alleged to have processed and facilitated payments for fictitious claims submitted by Sehunoe. The former public servants were originally charged with Sehunoe in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. However, after Sehunoe pleaded guilty their trial was separated and their case was transferred to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
Sehunoe was on Monday (February 25) handed a five-year suspended sentence. The fraudster was also placed under house arrest and three-year Correctional Services supervision. Sehunoe is expected to render physiotherapy services for free at a local hospital. He has also been ordered to repay back the Department of Labour the ill-gotten gains.
Ramaphosa and Mfeleng’s fraud is alleged to have been committed between February and December in 2009. The accused were arrested in 2010. The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour. The fund provides cushion for workers injured during work or for diseases sustained thereof.
