Siyabulela Pati, a 33-year-old man from the Eastern Cape, appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and was released on warning.
Duncan Alfreds/News24
A 33-year-old man from the Eastern Cape has been arrested by the Hawks for allegedly submitting a fraudulent Road Accident Fund (RAF) claim worth R600 000 after misrepresenting his role in a motor vehicle accident.
Siyabulela Pati was arrested by the East London Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit following an investigation into an alleged fraudulent claim he submitted to the RAF on 16 July 2021.
Pati claimed he was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a collision with another on the 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,” said Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana.
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However, after investigation and verification of accident records, the RAF, in collaboration with the Hawks, established that Pati 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,” Mhlakuvana said.
“The fraudulent misrepresentation exposed the RAF to a potential financial loss of approximately R600 000. The matter was subsequently referred to the [Hawks] for further investigation, leading to the suspect’s arrest [on Thursday].”
Pati appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and was released on warning.
The case was postponed to 2 December.
