Khathutshelo Nethengwe from Olifantsfontein allegedly accused of defrauding the Department of Labour’s (DoL) Compensation Fund (CF) R1,2 million is to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday following a separation of trial.

Nethengwe, a former employee of the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund faces three counts of fraud for allegedly defrauding the Department of Labour of R1,2 million. Nethengwe’s matter was transferred to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court after his co-accused Kenneth Martin Mahuluhulu from Thohoyandou last November pleaded guilty to defrauding the Department of Labour.

Mahuluhulu is still awaiting sentencing, and his matter is being heard in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court. Nethengwe and Mahuluhulu had been on the run for two years until Mahuluhulu, the IT fundi ran out of luck when he was nabbed by the specialised crime unit, the Hawks arrested him last year at his place of work at Unisa in Pretoria. The arrest of Mahuluhulu forced Nethengwe to hand himself to justice.

The accused are alleged to have committed their fraudulent activities between 2006 and 2009. Mahuluhulu and Nethengwe are alleged to have collaborated in siphoning the department by submitting and processing fraudulent claims. The duo is out on a bail of R5000 each.

The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour. The fund provides cushion to workers injured or for diseases sustained at work.