Bloemfontein – In a major operation against organised crime and corruption, the Free State Provincial Organised Crime Investigations unit, in collaboration with Crime Intelligence and the Phuthaditjhaba Tactical Response Team (TRT), dismantled a Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud syndicate earlier this week.
The intelligence-led operation concluded on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, in Bethlehem with the arrest of nine suspects.
A tenth suspect, 44-year-old Mahlatsi Bethuel, an employee of the Department of Labour, was apprehended in Bloemfontein on Friday, 20 March 2026.
Police confirmed that Bethuel already faces a pending fraud case from late 2025.
Investigators say the syndicate ran a sophisticated scheme, allegedly manipulating the UIF claims system to secure payouts.
“Our investigation revealed that agents and complicit officials submitted fictitious information, claiming to have been employed by certain companies to trigger unlawful UIF payments,” said a spokesperson for the South African Police Service.
The total amount defrauded from the Department of Labour is estimated to exceed R300,000.
“This operation demonstrates our commitment to rooting out corruption and organized crime at every level,” the spokesperson added.
Police have urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity related to UIF claims, emphasizing that such crimes not only defraud the state but also hurt legitimate job seekers relying on social benefits.
The 10 suspects are expected to appear in court in the coming days, facing multiple charges of fraud and corruption.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
