RAF disappointed by fine for fraud conviction

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is disappointed with the R60 000 fine given to an East London man found guilty of submitting a fraudulent RAF claim worth R5 million. The Fund is concerned that the lenient sentence sends the wrong message to would-be fraudsters.

Tubalomthandazo Butshingi (32) was this week convicted and sentenced in the East London Magistrate’s court for misrepresenting information on the claim he submitted to the RAF. He lied that he had fractured his ankle in a hit and run in September 2020. On further investigation, the RAF’s Forensic Investigation Department and hospital records revealed he had slipped and fallen, and the case was referred to the Hawks. Butshingi was given the option of paying the fine or serving three (3) years in prison. A further three years was wholly suspended for a period of five (5) years on condition he is not convicted of fraud during the period of suspension.

While the RAF would have preferred direct imprisonment to send a clear message to potential fraudsters, the Fund still respects the decision of the court. Fraud is endemic at the RAF, with R2,6 billion’s worth of fraudulent claims stopped over the last three financial years after they were lodged for compensation.

Nonetheless, the RAF continues to fight corruption internally and externally, as it presents a significant risk to the Fund’s assets, service delivery, efficiency, and reputation. Perpetrators such as doctors, attorneys, RAF employees, road accident victims, and employees of corporate companies who have access to road crash information, will continue to be arrested and prosecuted.