Three people were arrested by the Hawks’ Vaalrand Serious Corruption Crimes Investigation (SCCI), for their alleged involvement in a massive COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) fraud syndicate totalling over R13 million.
Police said the director of the company exploited the online ‘Siyaya’ system designed to process emergency TERS relief funds.
She allegedly submitted a fraudulent application initially claiming for 56 employees, which was later deliberately inflated to 1,198 ghost employees.
The three are Andiswa Jessica Tapu (40), Yolanda Nombuso Mgobo (32), and Sipho Sokhela (31).
They appeared at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, following their arrest.
As a result of this misrepresentation, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) suffered a total loss of R13,079,462.39, which was paid into the company’s bank account.
The multi-disciplinary investigation revealed that the other suspects actively participated in the scheme by opening specific bank accounts to receive, launder and distribute the illicit proceeds.
The three are expected to return to court on 03 December 2026 following their release on R10,000 bail.
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