POLOKWANE – The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has uncovered a R3.9m fraud scheme involving altered accident reports in Limpopo, while fresh allegations of police misconduct have emerged in a separate drunk-driving case.

According to the fund, its forensic investigations department prevented a fraudulent payout after an accident, initially recorded as a single-vehicle crash in 2015, was later reclassified as an unknown hit-and-run.

The revelation follows the sentencing of Constable Johannes Selei Mamabolo in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on July 9. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment or a R20 000 fine, with half of the sentence suspended for three years.

A statement filed three years later

According to RAF public relations manager Boniswa Matshoba, the police officer who first attended the 2015 crash scene later submitted a statement, dated April 28, 2018, claiming it had been a hit-and-run. Had the amended version been accepted, the RAF would have paid out R3 935 443.

A related corruption case was also opened after allegations that an RAF investigator had been bribed to support the fabricated version of events.

Attorney linked to similar claims

The RAF further revealed that the attorney involved had lodged at least five similar claims in which single-vehicle accidents were allegedly reclassified as hit-and-run incidents.

All the matters have been reported to the police.

Matshoba said that fraudulent claims divert compensation from genuine road crash victims and their families.

“To combat this, the fund’s forensic investigation department has partnered with law enforcement and other government departments to verify claimant information and fast-track fraud investigations. We urge members of the public to report suspected fraud anonymously on 0800 11 12 24,” she said.

Second case involves injured pedestrians

In a separate matter, Polokwane Observer previously reported on a 46-year-old police officer stationed at Lebowakgomo who was subpoenaed to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court following an incident in Westenburg that left two young pedestrians injured.

According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the officer was arrested in October 2025 on charges of drunken driving and reckless and negligent driving. He was later released on a subpoena while DNA test results were pending.

The crash occurred on Missouri Street, where the officer reportedly lost control of his vehicle, mounted the pavement and struck an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man.

Family accuses station of delays

The injured woman’s father accused Westenburg Police Station of delays and a lack of transparency.

“When I went to the station the next day, I was told the investigating officer was in Pretoria. I couldn’t confirm whether the suspect had been arrested or released,” he said.

Mokgalagadi alleged that more than a week later, no statements had been taken from victims or witnesses. He said he intended lodging a complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and called for external oversight.

The fund said it would continue pursuing anyone involved in fraudulent activities.

“Our primary responsibility is to ensure compensation is paid to legitimate victims of road crashes.”