BLOEMFONTEIN – A senior official at the Free State Department of Employment and Labour who was re-arrested regarding another case of 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. Their bail was set at R1 500 each.
Mahlatsi was arrested together with these 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 these suspects increased the total number to 24 since the arrest of the first group of 16 alleged syndicate members, including Mahlatsi. Mahlatsi and Motloung are implicated in both cases. 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,” said Kareli.
“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.”
He said during the appearance of the nine suspects, including Mahlatsi, the state did not oppose bail. They are set to reappear in court on 18 May.
Mahlatsi’s bail was set at R10 000 in the first pending fraud case involving 15 alleged syndicate members:
■ 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 operation of siphoning 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 had been formally charged on 16 October last year with six counts of gross dishonesty, and acting in contravention of the Code of Conduct for the Public Service.
The full-scale investigation continues in Bloemfontein, Bethlehem, and Gauteng.
Also read: Probe into R1 m UIF fraud at Labour Department continues
