Durban - The Road Accident Fund detected nearly R1 billion in fraudulent claims in the 2017/18 year, leading to 514 cases being referred to the police for investigation. This emerged on Monday when a Port Shepstone teacher pleaded guilty in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court to defrauding the RAF more than 11 years ago.
She said she met a man called Ndovela who told her of an opportunity to make money by claiming from the RAF. Sikhosana said she secured a job as a teacher in the same year and was currently earning a monthly salary of R12 000, which she uses to support herself and her children, two of whom were unemployed adults.“After the death of her husband, and unemployed, she had to sustain the family. The court should also consider that at the age of 59, she is a first offender and that although the Road Accident Fund was prejudiced by the fraudulent transaction, she only received R5000 from the R28 000 claim.
Soomaroo said RAF fraud was prevalent and serious because when monies were paid to fraudulent recipients, accident victims with legitimate claims were short-changed. She said the RAF had a dedicated Fraud and Investigation Department responsible for implementing measures to prevent, detect and investigate fraud, corruption and other illegal activities.