The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) in the North West has opened a fraud case with the South African Police Services (SAPS) against a foreign national who tried to claim Unemployment Insurance Fund benefits using fraudulent documents earlier today, 21 August 2026 at Rustenburg Labour Centre.
Reacting to the arrest, the Acting Chief Director: Provincial Operations in the North West, Chris Sithole applauded officials for being vigilant and being able to notice his intentions well in time before the State could be defrauded.
“We have zero tolerance for fraud. This arrest shows that our systems are working. We will continue to work with law enforcement to protect public funds and ensure that resources reach the people they are meant to help. We are grateful to officials for being proactive and calling the Department of Home Affairs and SAPS who assisted with verification of documents and apprehension of the perpetrator,” said Mr Sithole.
Sithole continued to say this should be a clear warning to anyone who tries to defraud the system to know that they will be caught and face the full might of the law as they have strengthened the Department and the Fund’s risk and anti-fraud controls to detect and prevent these crimes.
Given that the matter is now within the ambit of the law, the Department will let the law take its place and hope the necessary punishment is meted out.
For media enquiries kindly contact: Teboho Thejane, Departmental Spokesperson: 082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za
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