Police have arrested a 48-year-old man for allegedly attempting to defraud the Road Accident Fund (RAF) of R6.1 million by claiming compensation for an accident related to a conviction he received.
Linda Melvin Buthelezi was arrested by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) team in Pretoria in connection with a claim that stemmed from a 2018 accident in which he was found legally at fault.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Ramovha, said that Buthelezi, through a legal representative, submitted a claim which misrepresented the circumstances of the crash.
The Hawks allege that the claim was “built on the manipulation of facts” involving an incident where Buthelezi unlawfully overtook a vehicle and crashed into oncoming traffic.
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In an earlier ruling by the Protea Glen Court in Soweto, Buthelezi was convicted for reckless and negligent driving.
He was fined and handed a three-year suspended sentence.
"However, despite this legal outcome, the accused proceeded to misrepresent himself in the RAF claim, presenting false information to portray himself as a victim rather than the cause of the incident," said Ramovha.
The case was presented before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 24, 2025, and it was postponed to April 8.
Meanwhile, the provincial head of Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, emphasised the significance of the arrest in combating fraudulent activities.
“This case highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies to ensuring accountability and deterring fraudulent claims that place undue strain on resources meant to support genuine road accident victims,” he said.
“Fraudulent claims like these do not only undermine the integrity of public institutions but also divert funds away from those in genuine need. We commend the investigator for the diligence efforts and dedication to justice.”
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