Widow bust for claiming from RAF for husband who died after falling off a bridge

An Eastern Cape woman is facing fraud charges for allegedly submitting a false claim worth R700,000 to the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

There appears to be little desire to deal effectively with excessive theft by mostly ANC state officials at all levels, says the writer.
There appears to be little desire to deal effectively with excessive theft by mostly ANC state officials at all levels, says the writer. (123RF/Olivier Le Moal)

An Eastern Cape woman is facing fraud charges for allegedly submitting a false claim worth R700,000 to the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

Marlene Pietersen, 42, allegedly made the claim on behalf of her husband who died after falling off a bridge. The Hawks’ commercial crime investigation team arrested her on Tuesday.  

Capt Yolisa Mgolodela, spokesperson for the directorate, said Pietersen claimed that her husband died in a car accident about seven years ago. She appeared in the Gqeberha New Law Court. 

“On April 24 2018, Pietersen allegedly submitted a false Road Accident Fund claim on behalf of her husband, Niklaas Gallant, who died after falling off the bridge, claiming that he had died in a motor vehicle accident that occurred in Joubertina on July 7 2014,” said Mgolodela.

“The RAF discovered inconsistencies​ and then lodged a complaint with the Hawks which culminated in the arrest of Pietersen on October 5 2021. The RAF was rescued from a potenti­al prejudice of R700,000. Pietersen was releas­ed on warning and was instructed to return to court today, October 6 2021.”

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