RAF fraud claim to be probed

A Case of fraud has been opened at Montclair SAP against a Bluff lawyer who allegedly didn’t pay out a client for a Road Accident Fund (RAF) claim, after she received it.

Former Montclair policeman Thamsanqa Zulu was involved in an accident with three of his colleagues while they were on duty near the corner of Southwold and Montclair roads in June 2008. He was taken to Entabeni hospital for treatment for this injuries. When he returned to work, one of his colleagues suggested a lawyer to him to help him claim against the RAF. It is alleged the lawyer, who cannot be named until the conclusion of the investigation, sent a man to fill in documents with Zulu. Zulu said he was told the forms were for the claim and he was told they would contact him.

He wasn’t contacted until 2012 when he was told to meet the lawyer in Clairwood outside the Metro Police offices. He was told to sign a form and take it to the Metro Police offices for stamping and return it to the lawyer, who was waiting outside for him. Zulu did as he was told. When he asked the lawyer what the hold up was, it is alleged she said she was being “held up by people she couldn’t get hold of”. It is alleged she never explained what the form was for and merely told him to wait for her call.

Two years went by and Zulu did not hear from her. “I went to the RAF offices in Durban on Monday, 24 March and I was told the money was paid out to the lawyer in September 2012. I went to her house to ask her what’s going on but she ignored me. I saw the curtains move so I continued hooting and called out to her but she never responded nor did she take my calls,” said Zulu.

“I asked her neighbour who was painting if anyone was home, he said they were.”

One of his colleagues who used a different lawyer has been paid out. Zulu has since lodged a complaint with the KZN Law Society. The Society said they were unable to confirm whether or not Zulu had lodged a complaint. The Sun has been unable to reach the lawyer for comment.