BLOEMFONTEIN – A senior official at the Free State’s Department of Employment and Labour who was re-arrested regarding another alleged fraud in the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has been granted further bail.
The Bethlehem Magistrates’ Court granted bail to Kelopa Bethuel Mahlatsi alongside nine suspects during their appearance on Friday, 20 March. The bail was set at R1,500 each. Mahlatsi was arrested with nine suspects on Wednesday, 18 March in connection with UIF fraud at the department’s office in Bethlehem. The other suspects are: Kgethisi Molaba (28), Monyoko Mofokeng (33), Thakane Maitse (29), Tsietsi Mokoena (33), Thami Sothole (29), Omphile Mokoena (29), Mokgethi Mofokeng (32), Tebello Mbele (32) and Lehlohonolo Motloung (39).
The arrest of nine suspects increased the total number to 24 since the arrest of the first group of 16 alleged syndicate members, including Mahlatsi. All alleged syndicate members face charges of fraud. Their arrest and court appearances are based on prima facie evidence, arising from an ongoing multi-disciplinary police investigation.
Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, spokesperson for the Free State police, said the Provincial Organised Crime Investigations unit, Crime Intelligence and the Phuthaditjhaba Tactical Response Team (TRT) effected the arrest regarding the reported fraud at the Bethlehem office.
“The investigation revealed a sophisticated scheme where agents and complicit officials allegedly manipulated the UIF claim system for personal gain. The group is accused of submitting fictitious information, claiming to have worked for specific companies to trigger payouts. The total amount defrauded from the department is estimated to be more than R300,000,” said Kareli. He said during the appearance of the ten suspects, including Mahlatsi, the state did not oppose bail.
Mahlatsi’s bail was set at R10,000 in the first pending fraud case involving 15 alleged syndicate members. They include Kamoho Letuka (47), Thembinkosi Meshack Nelani (41), Pogisho Isaacs Senakgomo (60), Molefi Douglas Mayoba (55), Vuyo Kati (36), Tshendo Motshabi (38), Dintlese Jenipher Motshabi (51), Motloung, Lucas Marumo Lecoko (41), Thabane Clifford Nkolonyane (32), Senjanamane David Ramatsoele (35), Thabang Benedict Thipe (46), Vuyane Albert Njonondwana (49), Teboho Theron Thwani (38) and Bongani Radebe (41). Letuka and Radebe were granted bail of R3,000 and R2,000, respectively. The other 13 suspects were granted bail of R1,000 each.
Mahlatsi is regarded as the mastermind in the sophisticated siphoning of large amounts of money from the UIF. He is currently on precautionary suspension as part of the departmental internal disciplinary process following his implication. Mahlatsi is employed as an Employment Services Clerk (IES-CSO) at the Bloemfontein Labour Centre and was previously a UIF Client Service Officer (UIF-CSO). According to a report in Parliament, it emerged he was formally charged on 16 October last year with six counts of Gross Dishonesty, in contravention of the Code of Conduct for the Public Service.
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