R9.8m TERS scandal: SIU freezes KZN property

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed a Special Tribunal order freezing a Hillcrest property worth R2.7 million

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed a Special Tribunal order freezing a Hillcrest property worth R2.7 million that is allegedly linked to a R9.8 million Unemployment Insurance Fund Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) fraud involving KwaZulu-Natal-based Ziqoqe Construction CC.

This comes after an SIU investigation found that the company's owner, Ndabezinhle Luthuli, allegedly received millions of rand in TERS benefits on behalf of 673 purported employees during the COVID-19 lockdown period, but failed to pay the workers or refund the money to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

The SIU said many of the listed employees were found to be "ghost employees", while several individuals contacted by investigators denied ever working for the company.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed a Special Tribunal order freezing a Hillcrest property worth R2.7 million