Woman, Husband, and Mother Sentenced for Attempted R31 Million Theft from Road Accident Fund

The RAF* has welcomed the sentencing of three individuals who masterminded an intricate plot to steal R31 million from the fund. IOL reports that Tanya Senekal, her husband, Jaco Senekal, and her mother, Magdil Groenewald, were convicted of fraud after submitting over 500 fake claims to the fund. According to the NPA, the trio operated as touts in the scheme.

“Groenewald prepared 134 claims from 10 alleged vehicle accidents,” said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane. “The husband and wife prepared 403 claims from 30 alleged vehicle accidents, totaling 537 individual claims lodged with the RAF in 2006.” Mjonondwane explained that the accused didn’t submit the claims themselves but recruited ‘claimants’ to do so. “They arranged for the persons to be examined by medical practitioners. The accused sold the claims to firms of attorneys, who then lodged them with the RAF,” she added. “The attorneys paid the accused R1000 per claim, later increased to R1500 per claim. The accused were arrested after an investigation uncovered their involvement in the RAF fraud scheme.”

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The couple received eight years imprisonment for fraud, two years suspended for five years, while Groenewald received a sentencing of five years. RAF Chief Executive Officer Collins Letsoalo emphasised the severe financial and resource implications of fraudulent claims on the fund, extending the time to settle valid claims. “For this reason, we believe that those involved in stealing from claimants and road users should receive maximum sentences without suspensions,” Letsoalo concluded.

*Road Accident Fund

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Picture: X / TheTruthPanther

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