The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation(HAWKS) arrested a 33-year-old Eastern Cape man for defrauding R600 000 from Road Accident Fund(RAF) through a false claim.
Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the East London Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investiagation(SCCI) has arrested Siyabulela Pati(33) for fraud involving a falsified Road Accident Fund(RAF) claim amounting to a potential loss of R600 000. The culprit was nabbed by the Hawks on 06 November 2025, where he appeared in court on the same day and he was released on warning.
The police revealed that the suspect lied when he submitted the claim to RAF back in 2021 and that was discovered by police during investigation.
"The arrest follows an in-depth investigation into a fraudulent claim submitted to RAF on 16 July 2021. The suspect alleged that he had been a passenger in a motor vehicle that was involved in a collision with another vehicle at Qumza Highway in Mdantsane. The suspect reportedly claimed to have sustained a fractured sixth rib and multiple soft tissue injuries as a result of the accident.
"However, through meticulous investigation and verification of accident records, RAF in collaboration with the Hawks, established that the accused had misrepresented the facts. It was discovered that he had not been a passenger as claimed, but rather the driver of the second vehicle involved in the collision. As the driver, he was not entitled to full compensation as a passenger but could only have claimed a limited amount under the principle of contributory negligence.
The fraudulent misrepresentation exposed RAF to a potential financial loss of approximately R600 000. The matter was subsequently referred to the DPCI for further investigation, leading to the suspect's arrest on 06 November 2025," added Mhlakuvana.
The accused appeared before the East London Magistrate's Court, and the matter was remanded to 02 December 2025 for further proceedings, concluded Mhlakuvana.