Sentencing for self-confessed IT fundi in the Department of Labour fraud matter nudges closer as Court receives pre-sentencing reports
Kenneth Martin Mahuluhulu, an information technology (IT) fundi from Thohoyandou who confessed to defrauding the Department of Labour’s (DoL) Compensation Fund (CF) some R1,2 million is now closer to be sentenced, now that the probation officer has submitted pre-sentencing reports.
Mahuluhulu appeared today, 12 March in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court, and the Court will begin a process to review the reports to mete out appropriate sentencing. The matter was postponed to 27 March.
The accused is out on a bail of R5 000. Mahuluhulu pleaded guilty last November to defrauding the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund. He is facing three counts of fraud.
Mahuluhulu was arrested last August at his place of work at Unisa in Pretoria. In the matter he was charged with co-accused Khathutshelo Nethengwe, a former employee of the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund, who later handed himself to justice.
The men have been on the run for two years. The accused are alleged to have committed their fraudulent activities between 2006 and 2009. Mahuluhulu and Nethengwe are alleged to have collaborated in siphoning the department by submitting and processing fraudulent claims.
Nethengwe’s matter has since been transferred to the Pretoria Magistrate's Court in a separation of trial. He is yet to plead.
The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour. The fund provides cushion to workers injured or for diseases sustained at work.
Enquiries:
Page Boikanyo, Departmental Spokesman
Cell: 082 809 3195
