Tebogo Msimanga |
East London Regional Court convicted a 49-year-old Nyameka Mkhatshwa for charges of Road Accident Funds (RAF) theft.
On 14 July 2014, Mkhatshwa lodged a claim with RAF on behalf of her stepchildren after the death of her husband in a motor vehicle accident. The claim was settled by RAF and an amount of more than R331 000 was paid into her account.
Captain Yolisa Mgolondela of Eastern Cape Hawks said Mkhatshwa did not give the money to the stepchildren nor the guardian’s fund, though in her affidavit in support of the claim, she said that she was staying with the children and was supporting them whereas she never lived with nor supported them.
“A complaint was lodged with the East London based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for investigation which led to Mkhatshwa’s subsequent arrest on 16 March 2021 where she was released on warning by the East London Magistrates’ Court.”
After several court appearances, she received a six-year suspended sentence. She was further ordered to repay the victims an amount of R100 000 on or before 1 October 2021 and the balance in monthly instalments in a period of 60 months.
