Engineering News reports that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has welcomed the arrests of six suspects from the North West province who allegedly defrauded the fund of R2-million.
The suspects, including two former employees of the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), were apprehended by the police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on 10 June. According to a preliminary investigation, the suspects operated a syndicate that recruited unemployed persons in the province for job opportunities. The unsuspecting job applicants were then made to complete UIF claim forms as former employees of Impala Platinum Mine, as well as Anglo Gold Ashanti, for unemployment benefits. Thereafter the suspects had the claims processed, resulting in the UIF being defrauded of over R2-million. The suspects were scheduled to appear in the Mahikeng District Court on 12 June to face charges of fraud, money laundering and theft. Internal UIF investigations have led to a number of dismissals and suspensions of officials from the Mahikeng and Klerksdorp Labour Centres, with some disciplinary matters still ongoing.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
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