R10 million in UIF COVID-19 relief stolen by a couple – court convicts them

Husband and wife Moroko Moremi and Treasure Moremi have been deemed guilty by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. This verdict comes after the couple were alleged to have fraudulently stolen upwards of R10 million from the UIF’s COVID-19 temporary employer-employee relief scheme.

Moremi couple use their positions to get money

The Moremi’s took advantage of their roles as directors of Denmeng Trading by registering for COVID-19 TERS on behalf of 553 workers, 531 of which did not exist.

Information on the conviction has been shared by Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Commissioner Teboho Maruping who listed those who aided in the apprehension. Namely the UIF’s investigators, law enforcement agencies at the fusion centre, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the Financial Intelligence Centre. 

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Maruping addressed those who have participated in fraudulent activities or at the very least have considered participation in relation to the UIF’s COVID-19 temporary employer-employee relief scheme. His words carried a stern warning with a promise that the law will inevitably catch up to those involved in illegal activities.

UIF Commissioner stresses that investigations will be conducted

With a strong distaste for those who have helped themselves to unwarranted funding from the COVID-19 relief schemes, Maruping expressed a zero-tolerance policy for those who seek to fraudulently take funding reserved for workers in need, adding that any indication of illegal activities will be investigated thoroughly. 

There have currently been four convictions of those who were found to be guilty of defrauding the UIF of the COVID-19 TERS funds with more convictions pending. An additional 15 cases have been referred to the Special Investigative Unit for further investigation, reports IOL.

In 2020, the UIF embarked on its Follow The Money project and close to R900 million has since been recovered. The project is expected to resume in April 2022, upon the appointment of audit firms. It is anticipated that additional recoveries will be made and more arrests will take place as fraudulent claims are uncovered.

Prasa scammed by 3,000 ghost workers, salaries halted – Mbalula

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula shared the news that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) was a victim of a scam. Approximately 3,000 ghost workers were uncovered by Prasa.

The revelation came after Prasa went forward with an internal campaign. Mbalula stated that Prasa has Operation Ziveze which assisted in uncovering the thousands of ghost workers.

The Minister explained that the salaries that were being paid to the 3,000 ghost workers were stopped in 2021. He was briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) with regards to issues the committee found. Read the full story here.