3 accused of R300 000 UIF fraud

2008-01-22 22:42

Johannesburg - A disciplinary hearing is being held involving three labour officials accused of fraud in Mpumalanga, said the Unemployment Insurance Fund on Tuesday.

They allegedly stole more than R300 000 from the fund.

"These officials allegedly fraudulently claimed for benefits not due to them for a period of three months," said.

UIF spokesperson Kgomotso Sebetso said: "These benefits are for the poor people, not government employees."

Sebetso said the UIF noticed in the three months preceding May 2007 that claims were being paid to accounts at a post office as opposed to bank accounts.

"It appeared these accounts belonged to our officials. We investigated and that led to the suspension of the three," he said.

The department had opened a criminal case with the Middelburg commercial crimes unit.

Sebetso said more officials could be involved in the scam and investigations were continuing.

- SAPA