Fraudsters in court for defrauding Department of Labour

The alleged accused - Maxwell Ramaphosa, Samuel Mfeleng, Kgabo Methi, Debbie Venter, Tendani Mukomafhedzi and Billy Ramskin are former employees of the Department, and a physiotherapist Abel Diokano - face four counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering amounting to about R1 million.

At the time of writing this article, the defendants are yet to enter their pleas.

Mfeleng and Ramaphosa are currently involved in two other separate cases. They are on an extended bail of R3000 in a case held at the Pretoria Magistrate Court in which they are allegedly facing 15 counts of fraud and 26 counts of money laundering.

Their fellow co-accused, Jurry Sehunoe (33), a physiotherapist operating from Rustenburg in North West broke ranks and pleaded guilty to defrauding the Department of Labour of about R5 million.

Sehunoe is to be sentenced in January.

In another case Mfeleng and Ramaphosa are also expected to appear in the Pretoria Specialised Crime Court again next month wherein they face charges of fraud and money laundering working in collaboration with co-accused Kgabo Methi and a physiotherapist Jones Modau.

The Compensation Fund is the public entity under the authority of the Department of Labour to provide for compensation for disablement caused by work-related injuries or diseases sustained.

Source: GCIS