2 Durban cops, civilian in court for R600 000 TERS fraud
Three people are appearing in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday - for allegedly defrauding the UIF's COVID-19 benefit scheme.
The trio - aged between 25 and 39 - was arrested in Germiston in Gauteng on Monday.
It's alleged they pocketed over R600 000 meant for a company.
According to the Hawks, the company - National Adhesive - applied to the TERS fund for their employees.
READ: Labour toughens procedures for TERS payment
It was later discovered their banking details were fraudulently changed and the money deposited into a different account.
Investigations revealed the account belonged to a police official from the Durban Central Tactical Response Team.
He allegedly transferred the money into other accounts belonging to another police official and two civilians.
The Hawks' Ndivhuwo Mulamu says the two police sergeants and one of the civilians were arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering.
"We received the docket for further investigation in July regarding the UIF relief funds fraud. Warrants of arrests were immediately issued for the suspects' apprehension on fraud-related charges."
The fourth suspect was not arrested but warned to show up in court with the other three because he's been cooperating with police.
Almost R240 000 of the money has already been frozen while efforts to recover the rest continue.
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