Eastern Cape Family’s R500k UIF Fraud Scheme Ends in Prison Sentences After 10-Year Trial

• A Gqeberha family of five was convicted of defrauding the UIF of approximately R500,000 between 2009 and 2011
• The scheme's alleged mastermind, Dimitri Jantjies, used his position within the Department of Employment and Labour to facilitate the fraud
• The family recruited church members, friends and domestic workers to provide bank accounts for the fraudulently obtained funds

EASTERN CAPE — A Gqeberha family has been handed direct prison sentences after a court found them guilty of defrauding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) of roughly R500,000 in a scheme that took nearly 10 years to prosecute.

According to eNCA, the Gqeberha Commercial Crimes Court handed down the sentences following a protracted trial. At the centre of the case was Dimitri Jantjies, 49, whom the court identified as the primary architect of the fraud, which ran from May 2009 to March 2011.

Eastern Cape NPA Regional Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said Jantjies exploited his position and influence within the Department of Employment and Labour, working alongside his late sister to manipulate official UIF documentation, including employer declaration forms, in order to redirect UIF benefits into bank accounts controlled by the accused.

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Family members drawn into the scheme

Dimitri was not acting alone. His parents, Barbara and Thomas Jantjies, aged 77 and 78 respectively, his wife Tania Jantjies, 49, and relative Versinese Jantjies, 42, were all found to have participated in the operation.

According to Tyali, the family actively recruited individuals to open or provide bank accounts through which the stolen funds could be moved.

"In some instances, they received payments directly and rewarded those who cooperated with the scheme," Tyali said.

The NPA noted that the network of people drawn into the scheme included family friends, church members, former partners and individuals with domestic employment ties to the family, a detail prosecutors said illustrated the calculated and concealed nature of the operation.

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Prison terms handed down

Dimitri Jantjies received the heaviest sentence of 12 years' imprisonment. Barbara and Thomas were each sentenced to five years, while Versinese and Tania each received four years behind bars.

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Tyali confirmed that the five convicts are expected to serve a portion of their sentences in custody before potentially being considered for correctional supervision for the remainder.

Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Samkelo Mtwana welcomed the outcome.

"The NPA remains committed to combating fraud, corruption, and money laundering, particularly crimes that undermine public institutions and deprive vulnerable beneficiaries of resources intended for their support," Mtwana said.

Family defrauds company of R1.2 million

Briefly News reported that Mauritz Strydom allegedly defrauded his former employer Falcon Smelters of R1.2 million using fake invoices His ex-wife and son were also arrested and charged with fraud for allegedly benefitting from the proceeds of crime.Strydom allegedly submitted invoices between February 2017 and March 2018.The mother and son were granted R5 000 bail each after they appeared in court. Mauritz was arrested earlier in the week at a shopping centre.

Source: Briefly News