Two arrested after bribing department of employment and labour official in Mpumalanga
Two foreign nationals were arrested after they were caught trying to bribe an official of the Department of Employment and Labour on Thursday, 10 August 2023. They appeared before the Bethal Magistrate Court on Friday, 11 August 2023 for Fraud and Corruption after they were arrested by the Secunda based Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation.
Ms. Andile Mlaba, Deputy Director: Risk, Anti-Corruption and Integrity Management (RAIM) said that the appearance emanates from a criminal case, whereby the duo partook in a scheme to defraud the Department of Employment and Labour. “It is alleged that the suspects, aged between 52 and 53, approached an official at Bethal Labour Centre and requested to be assisted with an application for Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) normal benefits. The official was told that if she can assist them, they will provide gratification. They further promised her that they would pay R2 000.00.”
She mentioned that the official suspected that something was wrong because the services at the department are free. The matter was reported to the RAIM Unit which triggered the entrapment with the HAWKS within SAPS. An intelligence driven operation was conducted, and the suspects were arrested immediately after payment of R2 000.00 as previously agreed.
The Mpumalanga RAIM unit conducts awareness sessions to all officials on an annual basis to create a fraud and ethical environment in the province in light of the department’s stance on zero tolerance on fraud and corruption.
For any employment and labour related fraud allegations, the public is encouraged to report such suspicious activities to Department of Employment and Labour: 0860 022 194, UIF Fraud hotline: 0800 601148, CF Fraud hotline: 0800 204974, email: fraud@uif.gov.za / fruad@labour.gov.za
For media enquiries:
Hlanganisa Mbatha
Provincial Communications Officer
Cell: 082 757 5265
E-mail: Hlanganisa.mbatha@labour.gov.za
