R825,000 fraud: Three women arrested by Hawks for defrauding Department of Labour
Three additional female suspects have been arrested by the Hawks in Limpopo in connection with an alleged Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud scheme that reportedly cost the Department of Labour more than R825,000.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, the suspects, aged between 40 and 60, were arrested by the Phalaborwa-based Serious Corruption Investigation unit on Wednesday in Tzaneen.
Hawks spokesperson in Limpopo, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, said the arrests form part of an ongoing investigation into corruption-related offences linked to fraudulent UIF claims at the Department of Labour’s Tzaneen office.
“It is alleged that during the period between January and May 2025, officials from the Department of Labour received information about fraudulent activities taking place at their Tzaneen-based office,” Mmuroa said.
He said investigations revealed that one of the officials allegedly colluded with a private company to submit fraudulent UIF claims on behalf of beneficiaries in exchange for gratification.
“As a result of this alleged collusion, the Department of Labour suffered a loss of over R825,000,” Mmuroa said.
The matter was subsequently reported to the Hawks, where a formal case was opened and investigated. Upon finalisation of the probe, the docket was handed to the state advocate for a decision, leading to an operation in which the three suspects were traced and arrested.
The arrested women are expected to appear before the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 8 January 2026, on charges of fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering.
Mmuroa added that other accused who were arrested in December 2025 have already appeared in the same court and were granted bail ranging from R2,500 to R20,000. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 20 February 2026.
Meanwhile, the provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender, has commended the investigation team for their work.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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