Tebogo Msimanga |
Vuyani Armstrong Yeko (59), Dean Yeko (43) and Thoba Thango Mlonzi (30) made their first appearance in East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 24 May 2023. The trio was subsequently arrested by the East London-based Serious Corruption Investigation of the Hawks on 23 May 2023 for charges of Road Accident Fund (RAF) fraud.
It is alleged that on 5 August 2019, Vuyani Yeko and Mlonzi were involved in an accident in which the vehicle they were travelling in allegedly overturned at Ngwekazi Road at Bhisho. It is further alleged that Vuyani Yeko was the driver of the vehicle.
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said according to Vuyani Yeko’s statement and his claim to RAF, the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the accident was his brother Dean Yeko and that he, Vuyani Yeko was a passenger.
“He is further reported to have mentioned in his statement that there were three passengers in the motor vehicle which is contrary to the versions of the two witnesses from Red Alert Paramedic Services that rescued them and that of the Police Officer who was the first official on the scene”.
The matter was referred to the Hawks for a thorough investigation which revealed that Vuyani Yeko had intentionally submitted a false claim to defraud RAF by misrepresenting the facts about what occurred during the time of the accident. “He allegedly lied by saying his brother Dean who was not involved in the accident was the driver. The investigations further revealed that RAF was nearly prejudiced cash to the value of more than R3.8 million”.
They are released on R1000 bail each. The matter is remanded to 26 June 2023 for legal representation.
