The East London Regional Court recently convicted and sentenced Tubalomthandazo Butshingi (32) for committing fraud against the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
Butshingi was arrested on 10 October 2023 by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, in collaboration with the RAF team.
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The charges against Butshingi stemmed from his submission of false claim documents to the Road Accident Fund. According to his claim, an accident occurred on 07 September 2020 near Muvhango, Egoli East London.
Butshingi alleged that while he was standing as a pedestrian on the side of the road, an unknown vehicle hit him and fled the scene. He claimed to have sustained a fractured right ankle as a result of this hit-and-run incident.
However, RAF’s internal investigation and hospital records revealed a different story. It was determined that Butshingi had actually slipped and fallen, causing his injuries.
The matter was then handed over to the Hawks for a thorough investigation, which uncovered Butshingi’s deliberate intent to defraud the RAF of more than R5,000,000 (Five Million Rands).
Butshingi appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on 10 October 2023 and was released on bail.
The case was remanded three times before the final conviction and sentencing on 5 February 2024. Butshingi received a fine of R60,000 or a three-year direct imprisonment sentence. Additionally, a further three-year imprisonment term was wholly suspended for a period of five years, provided that he does not commit any fraud during the suspension period.
The Provincial Head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the Serious Corruption Investigation Team of the Hawks for their expertise and dedication in ensuring that Butshingi faced the appropriate consequences for his actions.
This conviction serves as a reminder that fraudulent activities will not be tolerated and that the law will take its course.
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