East London Regional Court convicted and sentenced Tubalomthandazo Butshingi (32) on 5 February 2024 for Road Accident Fund (RAF) fraud after his arrest by Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks together with Road Accident Fund (RAF) team on 10 October 2023.Butshingi unlawfully and intentionally submitted false claim documents to Road Accident Fund.
On 07 September 2020 near Muvhango, Egoli East London claimed that an accident occurred. Butshingi stated that on this day, he was a pedestrian standing on the side of the road waiting to cross when an unknown vehicle coming from nearby location knocked him down and never stopped.
Butshingi then claimed to have sustained a fractured right ankle during this unverified hit and run incident. RAF’s internal investigation and hospital records revealed that the claimant slipped and fell and that is how he sustained injuries.
The matter was then reported to the Hawks for an extensive probing that revealed that Butshingi deliberately submitted false claims with the intension of successfully defrauding RAF an amount of more than R5 000 000 (Five Million Rands).
Butshingi made his short court appearance in East London Magistrate’s court on 10 October 2023 where he was released on bail. The matter was remanded three times before the ultimate conviction and sentencing on 5 February 2024. Butshingi was fined R60 000 or three (3) years direct imprisonment sentence and a further three (3) years imprisonment wholly suspended for a period of five (5) years on condition that he is not convicted of fraud during the period of suspension.
The Serious Corruption Investigation Team of the Hawks is commended by the Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya for utilisation of expert detection skills that ensured that Butshingi receives the retributive sentencing.
