NATIONAL NEWS - The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the sentence meted out to COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) fraudster, Ntsebeng Marygold Moji and her company, Aqua Land and Swimming Services.
The 38-year-old was found guilty of fraud and money laundering, and received a fine of at least R178 000 for theft or four years’ imprisonment for theft and a five-year prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years, for money laundering.
The company was fined R200 000 for theft and a further R200 000 for money laundering, both wholly suspended for five years.
“This sentencing follows the SIU’s investigation, which uncovered that in 2020, Moji’s company lodged fraudulent TERS applications with the UIF on behalf of 16 individuals who were not employees. The UIF subsequently paid R178 128,36 into Aqua Land’s business account. In line with the SIU Act, evidence pointing to criminal conduct must be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] for action.
“The evidence, which was referred to the NPA and formed the basis for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s arrest in February 2025, proved that these individuals were ghost employees.
“Upon interviewing one of these individuals, the SIU confirmed that the person had never been employed by Aqua Land and had never received any payments from the company,” the SIU said in a statement.
The evidence collected also showed no evidence that any TERS monies were utilised to pay salaries.
“The sentencing of Moji and her company is part of implementing the outcomes of the SIU investigation and ensuring consequence management.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to investigate allegations made in respect of the affairs of the Unemployment UIF in terms of Proclamation R.8 of 2021.
“The SIU investigated TERS payments to persons who were not entitled to receive such payments; submitted false, irregular, invalid or defective applications to the UIF, including the causes of such maladministration,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
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