| (b) | having been directed to appear before a member of the Commission and to produce documents or objects in terms of section 12(1)(c), fails to appear at the specified time and place or to produce such documents or objects; |
| (c) | hinders or obstructs the Commission in the performance of its functions; |
| (d) | prevents or attempts to prevent a duly authorised officer contemplated in section 8, or a person or organisation appointed in terms of section 9, from performing a function in terms of this Act; |
| (e) | prevents, obstructs or unduly influences a claimant or any other person from pursuing his or her rights provided for in this Act, |
shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to an appropriate fine determined in terms of the Adjustment of Fines Act, 1991 (Act No. 101 of 1991).
| (2) | Any person who lodges a claim with the intention of defrauding the state shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment or both, determined in respect of the offence of fraud. |
[Section 17 substituted by section 5 of Act No. 15 of 2014]
