EASTERN CAPE: Gqeberha New Law court convicted and sentenced Mzwandile Patrick Msutwana (56) on 24 August 2023 for charges of Road Accident Fund (RAF) fraud.
On 28 June 2022, Msutwana through his lawyers lodged a claim of more than R2.2 million with RAF claiming that he was involved in a motor vehicle accident where he as a pedestrian on 26 February 2021 was hit by an unknown vehicle at Madikane Street New Brighton in Gqeberha which then fled the scene.
Forensic Investigation Division of RAF picked up the red flags from the claim and the matter was referred to the Gqeberha based Serious Corruption Investigation of the Hawks in December 2022 for extensive probing hence his arrest on 25 April 2023.
Investigations revealed that Msutwana on the said date as per Dora Nginza and Livingstone hospitals records, was injured at his house where fell as a result of being intoxicated. RAF was nearly prejudiced cash to the value of more than R2.2 million.
Msutwana was arrested on 25 April 2023 and made his first court appearance at Gqeberha Magistrate’s court on the same day. He was released on warning. The matter was remanded for a couple of times until his conviction and sentencing on 23 August 2023.
Msutwana was given a R100 000 fine sentence or five (5) years direct imprisonment in terms of Section 276 (i) of which R50 000 was suspended for three (3) years. Arrangements were made for the accused to pay R3000 on the day of sentencing and thereafter monthly instalments of R1000 each. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya commends the team for the expeditious manner in which they treated the matter in ensuing that the accused is brought sooner to justice.