PORT ALFRED – 33-year-old Tumeka Louise Zweni of Bathurst appeared in the Port Alfred magistrate’s court recently and was released on R1000-00 bail.
It is alleged that the suspect submitted funeral claims against deceased persons and informed unsuspecting family members that a claim could not be paid out citing various reasons.
In one incident, the victim went to the funeral home where she took a policy for her who had just passed on, to submit a claim but was informed by the suspect, who is an employee, that the funeral policy was not mature and further informed her that she will not receive payment. The victim was requested to submit a death certificate so that they can cancel the policy. The victim handed over the requested documents.
The suspect who is a data capture at the Funeral Home submitted a claim on “behalf” of the victim and R10 000-00 was paid into the suspect’s relatives bank account where she used the card and made the withdrawals.
The suspect’s relative went to report at Bathurst Police station where a case of fraud was opened.
The witness also revealed that there were several other claims paid into her account.
The suspect will reappear on the 27 August 2020 in the same court.
The Commercial Crime Unit of Port Alfred are urging the community to contact their local SAPS or the Crime Stop number 0860010111 if they have similar incidents to report.
