The Special Investigating Unit carried out raids in Tshwane and KwaZulu-Natal, related to Covid-19 TERS fraud.
Special Investigating Unit- South Africa/Facebook
Raids related to Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) fraud worth R161 million were carried out by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) when officials armed with search and seizure warrants pounced in Tshwane and KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.
In Tshwane, the operation took place at the Department of Labour’s Unemployment Insurance Fund offices as officials searched for employees allegedly linked to the scheme.
They are being questioned on the site.
Over 600 kilometres away, officials arrived at the home of an alleged kingpin in Scottburgh, along the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
According to the SIU, the woman has been identified as a central figure who allegedly received and distributed more than R18.6 million in syndicate funds.
Searches also took place at premises linked to her fiancé, who is also a suspect.
According to sources close to the investigation, the woman allegedly worked with employees from the UIF to manipulate the TERS payment system at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, creating fake claims and ghost employees, while diverting funds meant for struggling workers into their own accounts.
The operation continues.
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