Pretoria - Jones Mothemola Modau (31), a physiotherapist from Rustenburg charged with fraud, has been handed multiple suspended sentences in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for defrauding the Department of Labour's Compensation Fund (CF).
Modau pleaded guilty in March this year to three counts of fraud and 14 counts of money laundering involving about R476 150.58.
The fraudster was sentenced to three years correctional supervision (house arrest), but allowed to go to work and church. On the same charge of fraud, he was also handed a further three years - suspended for five years - on condition that he does not commit any theft or fraud during the next five years.
On the charge of money laundering, he was sentenced to two-years suspended for a five-year period.
At the time of sentencing Modau was out on a warning.
Modau originally appeared in this case with co-accused and former employees of the Department of Labour's Compensation Fund Maxwell Ramaphosa, Samuel Mfeleng and Johanna Kgabo Methi.
The trio's case was transferred to the Pretoria Magistrate's Court in a separation of trial. They have pleaded not guilty.
Ramaphosa, Mfeleng and Methi are out on a warning. The defendants are accused of operating as a syndicate processing fictitious claims for services not rendered.
Ramaphosa, Mfeleng and Methi are alleged to have siphoned off the Compensation Fund by creating fictitious claims and channelled the money into Modau's personal account.
Ramaphosa and Mfeleng are also embroiled in two separate fraud cases against the Department of Labour that are currently underway in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.
The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour. The Fund provides a cushion for workers who are injured or contract diseases in the line of duty. - SAnews.gov.za
