The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes a Special Tribunal order to freeze the assets of KwaZulu-Natal businesswoman Yolanda Nombuso Mgobo and her partner, Hlalanathi Hopewell Mbangi in a statement on 12 May.
This comes after the Special Tribunal issued an order to freeze the assets of a KwaZulu-Natal businesswoman and her partner following an investigation into more than R18 million in fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims.
The order granted by Judge President Margaret Victor, prohibits Yolanda Nombuso Mgobo, her company Yoluleko Trading (Pty) Ltd, and her life partner Hlalanathi Hopewell Mbangi from selling, transferring, or disposing of luxury vehicles and several immovable properties.
According to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), an investigation uncovered that Mgobo received payments totalling R18 632 335 in both her personal and business accounts. These funds were linked to the abuse of the UIF Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), a fund established to support vulnerable workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The frozen assets include a fleet of vehicles and multiple real estate holdings in KwaZulu-Natal:
- Vehicles: A Hyundai Tucson acquired in 2020, a Ford Ranger transferred to Mbangi in 2023, and a Toyota Corolla registered in 2025.
- Properties: A property in Knightswood, Scottburgh, valued at R870 000; a jointly owned property in Uvongo valued at R845 000; and two additional Scottburgh properties each valued at approximately R1 million.
While the assets are frozen pending the finalisation of the investigation, the court ordered that the respondents must remain responsible for all financial obligations, including levies, insurance, and licensing costs.
The SIU’s probe revealed that the fraud involved the use of a “ghost employee database” to illicitly access relief funds. While Mgobo did not personally submit the UIF TERS claims, she and her company reportedly received funds from several entities that had received millions from the UIF.
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Investigation records show that Nakomang Trading Enterprise received approximately R19.2 million from the UIF, while Ezogu Trading received R8.73 million. Between 2022 and 2023, these entities allegedly funnelled millions into Mgobo’s accounts, including a single payment of R720 000 made in May 2023.
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The SIU has announced it will refer the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for consideration of criminal prosecution. The referrals will cover charges of fraud and money laundering against the individuals and entities involved.
“The SIU remains committed to recovering public funds lost through corruption and maladministration, and to holding accountable those who sought to exploit relief measures intended to support vulnerable workers,” the unit said in its statement.
The assets will remain frozen until the Special Tribunal determines whether the agreements between the implicated parties and the Department of Employment and Labour were unlawful.
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