A high-profile case of alleged fraud has unfolded in South Africa, involving a Zimbabwean lawyer and substantial payouts from the Road Accident Fund (RAF). Precious Muleya, an admitted attorney of the High Court, appeared briefly in the KuGompo Magistrate’s Court on Monday. She faces a charge of fraud, alternatively theft, over the alleged securing of R5.2m in payouts. The case has garnered significant attention due to the substantial amount involved and the alleged modus operandi.
According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luxolo Tyali, Muleya allegedly submitted claims on behalf of at least 12 beneficiaries. Investigations revealed that between August 29, 2019, and February 19, 2021, the RAF made payments ranging from R150,000 to R947,000 based on false information. The claims were allegedly inflated using forged medical reports and invoices. This sophisticated scheme reportedly targeted road accident victims from various locations, including KuGompo, Centane, Butterworth, KwaBhaca, Mdantsane, and Estcourt.
The alleged scam involved road accident victims who were never examined by the doctors named in their medical reports. These reports were allegedly submitted by Muleya herself, who practised under the name Precious Muleya Attorneys. The investigation established that several claimants were neither assessed nor treated by the medical practitioners whose invoices and medico-legal reports were submitted in support of the claims. This has raised serious concerns about the integrity of medical assessments and the processing of claims within the RAF.
Muleya had allegedly been evading arrest for some time before she was caught at OR Tambo International Airport last Wednesday. She first appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng, and the case was then transferred to the Eastern Cape. The case was postponed to Friday for a formal bail application, which the NPA will oppose. The decision to oppose bail suggests that the prosecution believes Muleya poses a flight risk or that her release could compromise the investigation.
The alleged offences took place across multiple locations in South Africa, with claims submitted for victims from KuGompo, Centane, Butterworth, KwaBhaca, formerly Mount Frere, and Mdantsane, as well as Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal. The widespread nature of the alleged scam indicates a well-organized operation. The NPA’s efforts to prosecute Muleya and potentially others involved are seen as crucial in combating fraud against the RAF.
The RAF plays a critical role in providing financial assistance to victims of road accidents in South Africa. The alleged fraud not only undermines the fund’s objectives but also diverts resources away from legitimate claimants. The case against Muleya highlights the need for stringent oversight and verification processes to prevent such abuses. Authorities have emphasized their commitment to investigating and prosecuting those involved in fraudulent activities against the RAF.
As the case against Muleya progresses, it is expected to shed more light on the extent of the alleged fraud and any potential networks involved. The opposition to Muleya’s bail application underscores the seriousness with which the NPA views the allegations. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the legal and medical professions, particularly in terms of accountability and the prevention of similar fraudulent activities in the future.
Key points
- The alleged fraud involved R5.2m in RAF payouts based on false medical reports.
- Muleya allegedly submitted claims on behalf of at least 12 beneficiaries.
- The case has been postponed to Friday for a formal bail application, which the NPA will oppose.
