Nyameka Mkhatshwa (49) was convicted and sentenced by East London Regional Court for charges of Road Accident Funds (RAF) theft on 28 September 2021.

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 000-00 was paid into her account.

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 000-00 on or before 1 October 2021 and the balance in monthly instalments in a period of 60 months.

Source: South African Police Service