Thirty-six cases of people allegedly making false declarations while trying to get the government’s assistance through the Tropical Cyclone Winston Help For Homes Initiative, have now been reported to the Police.
Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho confirms that the cases will be presented in court.
Under the Help for Homes Initiative, homes with partial roofing damage will receive $1,500, homes with complete roofing damage will receive $3,000 and homes that have been completely destroyed will receive $7,000.
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is calling on people to make factual declarations to avoid getting into trouble.
Sayed-Khaiyum says the Finance Ministry picked up these cases during its random checking process.
Two people, Saheem Ali and Eremase Bulivecena, have been charged with one count each of making a false representation in order to obtain a benefit contrary to the False Information Act 2016.
The Office of the DPP says the two allegedly provided false information to a government representative and obtained a
Vodafone M-Paisa Card for the initiative.
The DPP is currently reviewing evidence against a further 17 people and more charges are likely.
Under the False Information Act 2016, any person convicted could face sentences of a fine of $20,000 or 10 years imprisonment or both.
