POTCHEFSTROOM – A six year employment fraud scheme involving an irregular migrant, who allegedly used a South African national identity to secure employment, has ended with a six year sentence for fraud, following a detailed investigation by the South African Police Service in Brits.
The court heard evidence that the 44-year-old suspect, Arlindo Fernando Timane, secured employment at a quarry in the Kareepoort area of Brits using a South African identity document, belonging to another person.
The suspect worked for the company for approximately six years and accumulated about R900 000 in salary.
The fraud came to light when the rightful ID holder approached SARS to submit his tax returns and was informed of an undisclosed source of income linked to an employer he had never worked for. The matter was subsequently reported to SAPS Brits and was investigated.
During the investigation, fingerprint verification conducted with the Department of Home Affairs revealed that the suspect was not the legitimate holder of the identity document. Further investigation established his nationality, resulting in an additional charge of contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002.
The Bojanala Sub-District 1 Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, supported by various role players, secured evidence from the employer’s Human Resource and Finance departments, SARS and the legitimate identity holder, who was traced to Mpumalanga. The comprehensive investigation strengthened the case and assisted the National Prosecuting Authority in presenting the matter before court.
The suspect was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for fraud. The outcome demonstrates the importance of thorough investigation and collaboration between law enforcement and relevant stakeholders in exposing identity-related fraud.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, has issued a stern warning to individuals who use fraudulent means or another person’s identity to obtain employment or financial benefits. He cautioned that such conduct will not be tolerated and that those who deliberately abuse official identity documents to defraud individuals, businesses or the state will face the full might of the law.
Lieutenant General Adams also commended all role players for their diligent work in uncovering the fraudulent scheme and securing a successful prosecution.