Authorities are rapidly closing in on thousands of South African citizens and officials who unlawfully enriched themselves through the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Covid-19 Ters Relief Scheme
On the 22nd of August last year, Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi referred the findings of the office of the Auditor-General, regarding fraud and wasteful expenditure associated with TERS payments, to the Special Investigations Unit for consequence management and legal action.
The Unit, also known as the Cobras, reported back to the parliamentary portfolio committee on labour and employment this week.
Regarding the TERS awareness campaign, the Cobras found that R6.1 million was irregularly spent on radio advertisements. Disciplinary hearings are currently proceeding against seven officials.
Moneyweb reports that lifestyle audits of several UIF officials have also started and that rapid progress is being made.
Thus far, 13.44 million employees working for 1.15 million companies or employers have benefitted from TERS payments to the tune of R57.38 billion.
The Cobras told the Parliamentary Committee that their investigation is continuing and that they will report back to parliament on their progress on a regular basis.
