Court Denies Bail to Attorney Accused of R5.2 Million Road Accident Fund Fraud
The KuGompo Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to attorney Precious Muleya, a Zimbabwean national accused of defrauding the Road Accident Fund (RAF) of approximately R5.2 million.
Muleya faces charges of fraud, with an alternative charge of theft.
She was arrested by the Hawks at OR Tambo International Airport on 30 September 2026 upon her arrival from the United Kingdom (UK), where she had allegedly been evading law enforcement.
Following a brief initial appearance in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court, her case was transferred to the Eastern Cape.
In her affidavit to the court, Muleya pleaded for her release, stating she intended to permanently return to South Africa to reopen her law firm, Precious Muleya Attorneys.
She argued that her child resides in the country and that she maintains regular contact with her legal clients.
However, State Advocate Aphiwe Mkrazuli-Hubela presented strong opposing testimony from the Hawks’ investigating officer.
The court heard that Muleya had fled South Africa immediately after a warrant for her arrest was issued. Crucially, the investigating officer revealed that Muleya was in possession of a return ticket to the UK at the time of her airport arrest.
The State successfully argued that Muleya posed a severe flight risk, highlighting that she holds no property or established family ties in South Africa, yet possesses the financial means to leave the country to evade trial.
Concluding that she could not be trusted to remain in the jurisdiction, the court denied her bail application.
The criminal charges stem from an intricate scheme involving RAF claims allegedly submitted on behalf of at least 12 beneficiaries. At the time of the offenses, Muleya was an admitted attorney of the High Court.
The claims were filed for road accident victims across multiple regions, including:KuGompo,Centane,Butterworth,KwaBhaca,Mdantsane and Estcourt (KwaZulu-Natal).
A thorough investigation by the Hawks revealed that between 29 August 2019 and 19 February 2021, the RAF paid out individual amounts ranging from R150,000 to R947,000.
These payouts were based on systematically inflated claim information.
Investigators discovered that several of the listed claimants had never actually been assessed or treated by the medical specialists named in the documentation.
Instead, invoices and medico-legal reports were allegedly forged to deceive the RAF into paying out millions in unauthorized funds.
The State has informed the court that the investigation is fully completed.
The matter has been postponed to 11 November 2026, where Muleya is scheduled to make her first appearance in the KuGompo Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Division, Luxolo Tyali, reiterated the authority’s ongoing commitment to stamping out corruption, safeguarding public resources, and ensuring that white-collar criminals face the full might of the justice system.
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