By: Kaya 959 News
Three people have appeared in court for allegedly defrauding the Covid-19 Temporary Relief Scheme Fund (TERS) of approximately R10 million last year. The trio allegedly applied for TERS relief for over 500 non-existent employees.
Hawks spokesperson, Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo said Levy Moremi (36), Treasure Moremi (34) and Anna Moremi (33) were arrested in Germiston late last week.
She said their arrest warrants were executed in Polokwane following an investigation that started around March 2021.
The probe uncovered that during the period from April until June 2020, a company known as Denmag Trading where the accused were directors, applied for Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)TERS for its employees.
“The company has about 29 personnel in its payroll, but the application made was for 537 employees which means that the 508 employees were non-existent. The application was processed successfully and a sum of over R10 million was paid into the company’s account wherein it was laundered into various bank accounts by the trio for self-gain,” says Mbambo.
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She said several transfers were made to Levy Moremi, his other company Best Enough Trading.
Funds were also paid to Anna Moremi and to her company, SFM Trading Enterprise and the money was used to buy a truck, a minibus, a plot of land and other valuables.
Mbambo said all of these have since been confiscated as they are deemed to be proceeds of crime.
The three appeared in Polokwane Commercial Specialised Crimes Court sitting at the High Court on the same day, and were granted bail ranging from R5000 to R10 000.
The matter was remanded to 21 October 2021, where it will be heard in the Pretoria Commercial Specialised Crimes Court.
Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa urges the public to report any suspicious PPE corruption and fraud related activities.
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