MPUMALANGA – The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in Mpumalanga has successfully obtained a restraint order exceeding R26 million against assets belonging to suspects allegedly implicated in fraud related to the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).
According to the NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the order was granted in terms of Section 26 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court.
She added that investigations revealed that between October 2020 and January 2021, Company F and A Consulting CC allegedly misrepresented information to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The entities are alleged to have submitted more than 700 names of individuals, falsely claiming they were employees, despite the fact that they had never worked for the company.
Nyuswa also stated that as a result, funds amounting to over R26 million were paid out, causing the UIF to suffer significant financial prejudice. Further investigations indicate that the funds were allegedly utilised to acquire various moveable and immoveable assets valued at over R31 million.
These include a fleet of vehicles and additional funds linked to the suspects’ bank accounts. She added that criminal investigations into the matter are ongoing.
“The AFU plays a critical role in ensuring that individuals do not benefit from the proceeds of unlawful activities,” she said. “Through its work, the NPA continues to strengthen accountability, uphold the rule of law, and demonstrate that crime carries serious financial and legal consequences.”
