A pensioner from Hammanskraa allegedly stole R4.7 million from the UIF’s Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).
The 62-year-old pensioner was arrested by Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation unit on Sunday in Hammanskraal for alleged fraud and theft.
Hawks spokesperson, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed that the pensioner is facing the charges of fraud,theft and money laundering.
The pensioner was arrested after he suddenly became an instant millionaire and refused to reveal the secret of his miracle money.
It was later discovered that he stole the money that ought to be given to employees of a company whose name is withheld.
“It is understood the suspect worked for the same company and allegedly used the same reference number from his previous employers to apply for his UIF payout.
“It was later found after numerous enquiries by the company that the money was actually paid, but was redirected to the suspect’s account,” Mulaudzi said.
Hawks has been able to recover R4.6 million. He allegedly spent close to R100,000 on himself.
A fraud case has already been opened.
He is to appear in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Monday.
This new arrest totals the number of those arrested in connection to UIF TERS fraud to 14.
Some of the 14 suspects are currently out on bail.
