The sentencing of Jury Sehunoe (34), a physiotherapist operating from Rustenburg in the North West accused of defrauding the Department of Labour’s (DoL) Compensation Fund about R2,1-million was today postponed indefinitely in the Pretoria Coomercial Crime Court.
Magistrate N. Setshogoe postponed the matter to July 3 to allow for presentation of heads of arguments from officials from social department, a probation officer from Correctional services department, including a presentation in mitigation of sentence from the defendant’s legal team. The postponement would also allow for the conclusion of the Organised Crimes Act proceeding process.
Sehunoe, who is out on a bail of R3000 pleaded guilty last year to 15 counts of fraud and 26 counts of money laundering. The fraudster was involved with two co-defendants Maxwell Ramaphosa and Samuel Mfeleng, former civil servants who previously worked for the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund.
He made a U-turn from fellow accused and pleaded guilty. Ramaphosa and Mfeleng are also out on a bail of R3000 each. They are yet to plead. In a separation of trial their case was transferred to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. Ramaphosa and Mfeleng are also embroiled in two other fraud cases.
The fraudster was working in collaboration with alleged fellow co-accused (Ramaphosa and Mfeleng) to siphon the Department of Labour millions of rands of public funds by claiming money for treatment to patients that was never done and using intricate means to siphon payments into own accounts.
The laundered money was deposited into Sehunoe’s personal account and that of his driving school, maintenance/construction businesses.
Advocate Keitumetse Mogale said her client (Sehunoe) was prepared to re-imburse the DoL for the money laundered.
The Compensation Fund is a public entity under the authority of the Department of Labour. Its function is to insure workers against injuries and diseases sustained at work.
Respite for fraud physio as court allows for mitigation of sentence for his defrauding of DoL
