The East London Magistrate’s Court released Mnikelo Mzwakhe Novukela (51) on warning on 17 November 2022. This is subsequent to his arrest by East London based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team on 16 November 2022 for allegations of fraud and perjury.
It is alleged that on 27 May 2016, Novukela reported an accident at Tsomo police station where he alleged that an unknown vehicle knocked him down and drove away.
Novukela is reported to have claimed that he sustained serious injuries during the accident and thus a claim was submitted to the Road Accident Fund (RAF) through his lawyers.
It is further alleged that the claim was processed and on further verification of information, it was established that Novukela was never involved in a hit and run accident as he stated but rather in an accident where his girlfriend was also involved and paid by RAF.
The matter was reported by RAF to the Hawks for further probing.
The investigation revealed that RAF was nearly prejudiced cash of R4 million.
Novukela made his first court appearance and the matter was remanded to 30 November 2022 for copies of the docket.
