CRIME SCENE: Pretoria, Gauteng: Three people have appeared in court for their alleged involvement in a massive COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) fraud syndicate.

Andiswa Jessica Tapu (40), Yolanda Nombuso Mgobo (32), and Sipho Sokhela (31) appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, 10 September 2026, following their arrest by the Hawks’ Vaalrand Serious Corruption Crimes Investigation (SCCI) unit.

According to the Hawks their arrests follow the finalisation of a meticulous investigation and the subsequent issuance of J50 warrants of arrest in Pretoria on Thursday morning.

It is alleged that the director of their company exploited the online ‘Siyaya’ system designed to process emergency TERS relief funds. She allegedly submitted a fraudulent application initially claiming for 56 employees, which was later deliberately inflated to 1,198 ghost employees.

As a result of this alleged misrepresentation, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) suffered a total loss of over R13 million which was paid into the company’s bank account.

It is further alleged that the other suspects actively participated in the scheme by opening bank accounts to receive, launder and distribute the illicit proceeds.

The trio faces 40 counts of theft, 40 counts of fraud, money laundering, and contravening Section 5 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), Act 121 of 1998.

The accuse will return to court on 3 December 2026 following their release on R10,000 bail.