A sweeping multi-province operation unfolded on Thursday as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), supported by specialised police units including the Hawks and the National Intervention Unit, conducted raids linked to large-scale fraud involving the Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).
The coordinated raids in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng form part of an extensive investigation into a sophisticated syndicate accused of siphoning R161 million from the relief fund, which was designed to support workers during the height of the pandemic.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said search-and-seizure warrants were executed at several locations, including offices, private residences and the UIF Head Office in Pretoria. The operation targets 16 companies and more than 35 individuals believed to be central to the elaborate fraud scheme.
In KZN, teams carried out raids in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Edendale, Port Shepstone, Margate, Amanzimtoti and Scottburgh, among other areas.
According to the SIU, investigators have uncovered evidence of a well-organised syndicate that allegedly submitted fraudulent health applications on behalf of people who were not actual employees of the implicated companies. Instead of reaching workers, the funds were reportedly diverted among syndicate members in transactions consistent with money-laundering activity.
Digital devices including computers, data storage equipment, mobile phones and network hardware have been seized as part of the ongoing probe.