Sting operation leads to arrests in RAF corruption case

A successful sting operation has led to the swift arrest of a Durban couple at King Shaka International Airport for alleged corruption. This is after the ‘wife’ approached a Road Accident Fund (RAF) claimant alleging she was an RAF employee based at the Head Office accounts department. As such, she could fast track the claimant’s settlement, provided R45 000 was paid upfront.

The claimant approached the RAF’s Forensic Investigation Department (FID), and they in turn contacted the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigations (Hawks). An undertaking was made at a meeting by the fake RAF employee that the settlement would be paid on 30 April. A follow up meeting was arranged on 14 March and monies exchanged hands before the Hawks swooped, whereupon the couple was arrested.

The couple are out on R3 000 bail each after appearing in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on 16 March. Their next court appearance is on 26 March, when they are expected to be charged with fraud and corruption.

Paul Modipa, RAF FID General Manager, said fraud continues to represent a significant risk to the RAF’s assets, service delivery, efficiency and reputation. “It robs accident victims and dependents of the deceased of their livelihood and creates a negative impact on the socio-economic status of the country. Any party – internally or externally – that engages in fraudulent activities or attempts to do so will be pursued vigorously.”

A whistle-blowing policy is in place to encourage staff to report instances of suspected fraud anonymously, while the public is strongly urged to report other alleged fraudulent activities confidentially on the RAF Fraud Hotline, 0800 00 5919.

The RAF FID’s almost 80 dedicated officials vigorously pursue any party that engages in corrupt activities or attempts to do so, and have succeeded in arresting over 500 fraudsters annually, including some lawyers, doctors and claimants.

During the 2016-2017 financial year, a total of over R901 million worth of fraudulent claims were identified before payment was made and 418 cases were referred to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Meanwhile since the start of the current financial year up until February 2018, over R1,3 billion’s worth of fraudulent claims have been stopped, while 81 cases were referred to SAPS.