NATIONAL NEWS - The suspects appeared in the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court following their arrest by the Hawks over their alleged involvement in the scheme.
Alleged UIF fraud scheme
According to the Department of Employment and Labour, one of the women was employed by the department’s Employer Services Section, where her duties included capturing, verifying and filing employer declarations of employees’ forms, known as UI-19 forms, on benefits files.
Investigators allege that prospective UIF claimants were assisted with claim forms and other documentation, even in cases where they allegedly did not meet the requirements to receive benefits.
The department further alleges that arrangements were made in some instances for bank accounts to receive proceeds from fraudulent UIF claims.
The Hawks identified discrepancies during their investigation, which were subsequently picked up in an audit conducted by the department. The matter was then referred for further investigation.
The two suspects are alleged to have acted together in arranging and executing the scheme.
UIF welcomes arrests
UIF Commissioner Thulani Tshefuta welcomed the Hawks' investigation and stressed the importance of protecting funds intended for workers who legitimately rely on the Fund.
“Every rand lost through fraudulent activity is a resource that should have been available to support workers who legitimately depend on the Fund,” Tshefuta said.
He added that the UIF would continue cooperating with law-enforcement authorities to ensure allegations of wrongdoing were investigated and that anyone found to have acted unlawfully was held accountable.
The UIF said the arrests represented an important step towards strengthening accountability and protecting resources intended to provide social protection to eligible workers and their families during periods of unemployment and other qualifying circumstances.
Suspects granted bail
The two women were each released on R2 000 bail. The matter has been postponed to 5 October for legal representation.
The UIF said it had strengthened measures to detect and prevent fraudulent claims and transactions, while continuing to work with law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to safeguard its resources.
The Fund urged members of the public, employers and other stakeholders to report suspected UIF fraud.
Reports can be made through the Department of Employment and Labour's Anti-Fraud Hotline on 0800 601 148 or by emailing [email protected].
The suspects remain innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
