Pretoria – A former employee of the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund, who allegedly defrauded the fund of R1.2 million, is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Khathutshelo Nethengwe from Olifantsfontein faces three counts of fraud. Nethengwe’s matter was transferred to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court after his co-accused, Kenneth Martin Mahuluhulu, from Thohoyandou, pleaded guilty to defrauding the department. He pleaded guilty last year in November.
Mahuluhulu is still awaiting sentencing and his matter is being heard in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
Nethengwe and Mahuluhulu had been on the run for two years until Mahuluhulu, the IT fundi, ran out of luck when he was nabbed by the specialised crime unit, the Hawks, last year. He was caught at his place of work at Unisa in Pretoria, and his arrest forced Nethengwe to hand himself over to justice.
The two accused are alleged to have committed their fraudulent activities between 2006 and 2009. They allegedly collaborated in siphoning the department by submitting and processing fraudulent claims. They are both out on a R5 000 bail each.
The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour. The fund provides a cushion to injured workers or those who get occupational diseases. – SAnews.gov.za
