Pretoria -Two former employees of the labour department's Compensation Fund appeared in Pretoria Magistrate's Court on fraud charges on Wednesday, the department said.
Spokesman Page Boikanyo said Maxwell Ramaphosa, 36, and Samuel Mfeleng, 36, faced 15 counts of fraud and 26 counts of money-laundering.
In a trial-within-a-trial, a police officer said an “admission” contained in a statement from Ramaphosa was voluntarily given by him.
The defence claimed it was obtained under duress and threats of arrest.
Boikanyo said prosecutor Margaret Thulare had told the court it was strange that this aspect had not been challenged by the defence earlier.
The court would rule on the admissibility of the disputed statement on March 5.
Ramaphosa and Mfeleng are accused of processing and facilitating fraudulent claims submitted by physiotherapist Jurry Sehunoe.
Sehunoe pleaded guilty to 15 counts of fraud and 26 of money-laundering. He received a five-year suspended jail sentence in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday. - Sapa