A 44-year-old man from Mozambique, who secured six years of employment in the Kareepoort area of Brits using another person’s South African identity document and earning about R900,000, has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for fraud.
Arlindo Fernando Timane secured employment at a quarry in Kareepoort using a South African identity document belonging to another person.
He worked for the company for about six years and earned close to R1 000,000 in salary.
North West police spokesperson Colonel Anne Magakoe said the fraud came to light when the legitimate ID holder approached the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to submit his tax returns and was informed of an undisclosed source of income linked to an employer for whom he had never worked.
The matter was subsequently reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Brits and investigated.
“During the investigation, fingerprint verification conducted with the Department of Home Affairs revealed that the suspect was not the legitimate holder of the identity document,” Magakoe said.
Further investigation established Timane’s nationality, resulting in an additional charge of contravening Section 49 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002.
Magakoe said the Bojanala Sub-District 1 Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, supported by various role-players, secured evidence from the employer’s human resources and finance departments, SARS and the legitimate identity holder, who was traced to Mpumalanga.
She said the comprehensive investigation strengthened the case and assisted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in presenting the matter in court.
Timane was sentenced to six years in prison for fraud on Tuesday last week.
“The outcome demonstrates the importance of thorough investigation and collaboration between law enforcement and relevant stakeholders in exposing identity-related fraud,” Magakoe said.
Meanwhile, North-West provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Arthur Adams issued a stern warning to individuals who use fraudulent means or another person’s identity to obtain employment or financial benefits.
Adams cautioned that such conduct “will not be tolerated” and that those who deliberately abuse official identity documents to defraud individuals, businesses or the state would face the full might of the law.
He also commended all role-players for their diligent work in uncovering the fraudulent scheme and securing a conviction.
