Cape Town – The KuGompo Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to attorney Precious Muleya, who is accused of fraud, alternatively theft, involving Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims allegedly worth R5.2 million.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Muleya, a Zimbabwean national, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 30 September 2026 after arriving from the United Kingdom (UK), having allegedly been evading arrest.
She first appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court in Gauteng before the matter was transferred to the Eastern Cape.
In her bail application, Muleya submitted an affidavit stating that she intended to return to South Africa permanently and reopen her law firm. She also cited her child’s presence in the country and said she remained in regular contact with her clients.
However, State Advocate Aphiwe Mkrazuli-Hubela led evidence from the Hawks investigating officer, who testified that Muleya had left the country after a warrant for her arrest was issued. The officer also told the court that she had a return ticket to the UK when she was arrested.
COURT DENIES BAIL TO ATTORNEY ACCUSED OF R5.2 MILLION RAF FRAUD
The KuGompo Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to attorney Precious Muleya, who faces a charge of fraud, alternatively theft, relating to Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims allegedly valued at approximately R5.2 million.
Muleya, a Zimbabwean national, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 30 September 2026 after arriving from the United Kingdom (UK). She had allegedly been evading arrest.
She first appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court in Gauteng, before the matter was transferred to the Eastern Cape.
In support of her bail application, Muleya filed an affidavit stating that she intended to return to South Africa permanently and reopen her law firm. She also said that her child lived in the country and that she remained in regular contact with her clients.State Advocate Aphiwe Mkrazuli-Hubela led evidence from the Hawks investigating officer, who told the court that Muleya had left the country after a warrant for her arrest was issued. The officer further testified that Muleya had a return ticket to the UK when she was arrested.
The State argued that Muleya was a flight risk. It submitted that she had no established family ties or property in South Africa, had the means to leave the country and might evade trial. The court agreed and denied her bail.
The matter was postponed to 11 November 2026 for Muleya’s first appearance in the KuGompo Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.The State informed the court that investigations had been completed.
The charges relate to RAF claims allegedly submitted on behalf of at least 12 beneficiaries. At the time of the alleged offences, Muleya was an admitted attorney of the High Court and practised as Precious Muleya Attorneys.The claims were allegedly lodged on behalf of road accident victims from areas including KuGompo, Centane, Butterworth, KwaBhaca, Mdantsane and Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Hawks’ investigation found that, between 29 August 2019 and 19 February 2021, the RAF allegedly paid amounts ranging from R150 000 to R947 000 based on information submitted to inflate the value of the claims.The investigation further found that several claimants had allegedly not been assessed or treated by the medical and professional practitioners whose invoices and medico-legal reports were submitted in support of the claims. The reports and invoices are alleged to have been forged and used to induce the RAF to make payments to which the claimants were not entitled.
The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed to combating fraud and corruption, protecting public resources and ensuring that those accused of commercial crimes are held accountable through the criminal justice system.
@NPA_Prosecutes
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 23, 2026
The State argued that Muleya was a flight risk, submitting that she had no established family ties or property in South Africa, had the means to leave the country and could evade trial.
The court agreed with the State and denied her bail.
The matter has been postponed to 11 November 2026 for Muleya’s first appearance in the KuGompo Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. The State informed the court that investigations had been completed.
The charges stem from RAF claims allegedly lodged on behalf of at least 12 beneficiaries. At the time of the alleged offences, Muleya was an admitted attorney of the High Court and practised through Precious Muleya Attorneys.
According to the NPA, the claims involved road accident victims from areas including KuGompo, Centane, Butterworth, KwaBhaca, Mdantsane and Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal.
Several claimants
The Hawks’ investigation found that, between 29 August 2019 and 19 February 2021, the RAF allegedly paid amounts ranging from R150,000 to R947,000 based on information submitted to inflate the value of the claims.
Investigators further found that several claimants had allegedly not been assessed or treated by the medical and professional practitioners whose invoices and medico-legal reports were submitted in support of the claims.
The reports and invoices are alleged to have been forged and used to induce the RAF to make payments to which the claimants were not entitled.
The NPA said it remained committed to combating fraud and corruption, protecting public resources and ensuring that those accused of commercial crimes were held accountable through the criminal justice system.
Muleya has been accused of the offences, and the allegations have yet to be proven in court.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
