Hawks Arrest Fake Labour Officer Linked To Massive UIF Scam

The Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Corruption Investigation team successfully executed a warrant of arrest against a 42-year-old suspect who had been on the run for nearly three years. The arrest took place in the early hours of Saturday, 18 October 2025, in Ivory Park, Gauteng, following a late-night operation that began the previous evening.

The man, who had previously posed as an official from the Department of Employment and Labour, was first arrested in February 2022 in Piet Retief. He was accused of attempting to orchestrate fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments through a legitimate department employee.

Hawks Sting Operation Uncovers UIF Fraud Attempt

According to the Hawks, the suspect contacted a trusted employee at the Department of Employment and Labour’s Piet Retief office, requesting assistance to process fake UIF claims. He allegedly promised to share the illegal proceeds with the employee.

The employee, unwilling to participate, reported the approach to the Hawks in Mpumalanga. A sting operation was swiftly arranged for 22 February 2022. During the monitored meeting, the suspect handed over five UIF claim forms containing the personal details of applicants from Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng.

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The suspect was immediately arrested and appeared before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court, where he was granted bail. However, after attending only three court sessions, he absconded and went into hiding.

Notebook With IDs and Bank Details Found During Arrest

Following his disappearance, a warrant of arrest was issued and executed on the night of 17 October 2025. By 04:30 the next morning, Hawks officers had successfully tracked and apprehended him in Gauteng.

During his arrest, investigators discovered a notebook filled with numerous identity numbers, bank account details, and partially completed UIF claim forms — evidence suggesting that his fraudulent activities had continued despite his previous arrest.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 October 2025.

Major General Nico Gerber, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, commended his team’s dedication, saying:

“The suspect’s actions is an indication that he has not seized his activities. He must answer before court how he got personal details of people of which some never met him before and introduced himself to some as the Department of Employment and Labour official. I really appreciate the commitment from our team, and I believe more information will be exposed soon.”

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