BLOEMFONTEIN – The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Bloemfontein has arrested three business owners in connection with alleged Covid-19 Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud involving ghost workers. They are Molefi Monei (53), director of Dream House Properties and LPK Group, Mamello Mothoane (40) of Service At Your Tips, and Mathabeng Mabel Mlilo (41), owner of Mabel’s Legacy.
Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said they briefly appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday in separate matters following their arrest the same day. He said warrants of arrest were issued following the completion of investigations, which uncovered that the trio allegedly siphoned a combined R787 000 from the fund by submitting claims for non-existent workers. “They face charges of fraud and money laundering,” said Mohobeleli.
The accused, through their businesses, allegedly submitted claims to the Department of Employment and Labour for UIF benefits on behalf of ghost workers. “The Department of Employment and Labour referred four separate investigations to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). It was on suspicion that the three accused and their businesses had allegedly submitted claims on behalf of non-existent employees. These investigations were later referred to the Hawks for completion,” said Mohobeleli.
Mohobeleli said in-depth probing uncovered that the submissions were made last year as follows:
- Monei claimed R260 000 on behalf of his companies, Dream House Properties and LPK Group, for six and five workers, respectively
- Mothoane claimed R118 000 on behalf of her company, Service At Your Tips, for four workers.
- Mlilo claimed R409 000 on behalf of her company, Mabel’s Legacy, for six purported employees.
Mohobeleli said the accused were set to appear separately in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Bloemfontein on 2 October. He said they were granted bail set at R1 000 each.
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