Two women arrested over alleged R1.1m UIF fraud
Potential UIF claimants were helped with claim forms, even though they did not meet the requirements to receive benefits.
Two women from Eastern Cape, Nandipha Tutani and Nobuntu Mjili, have been arrested by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in connection with an alleged R1.1 million fraud involving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) funds. The two women were arrested on September 15, 2026, and appeared before Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court that day. They were released on R2,000 bail each, with the case being postponed to October 5, 2026.
According to the Department of Employment and Labour, the alleged fraud scheme dates back to 2018. Tutani, who worked in the employer services section, was responsible for capturing, verifying, and filing employer declaration of employees forms (UI-19 forms) on benefit files. The investigation alleged that the two women assisted potential UIF claimants with claim forms and necessary documentation, even though some did not meet the requirements to receive benefits.
Additionally, it is alleged that arrangements were made for bank accounts to receive proceeds from the fraudulent claims. The Hawks began investigating the case after inconsistencies were discovered during an audit by the department. Both women were alleged to have worked together in executing the fraudulent scheme.
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