Mpumalanga – Three people accused of defrauding the COVID-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) of nearly R27 million appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday following a lengthy investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to the South African Police Service, Fumu Mkalira Msiska, a 48-year-old Malawian-born permanent South African resident, his wife Gladness Msiska Mkhonto, and his brother-in-law Bongani Zoran Mkhonto handed themselves over to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in Nelspruit on Sunday.
The trio faces charges linked to alleged fraud involving the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s COVID-19 TERS programme.
Msiska and his wife were each granted bail of R300,000, while Bongani Mkhonto was released on R3,000 bail.
Investigators allege that A and F Consulting unlawfully claimed TERS funds for more than 700 ghost employees and former workers during 2020, resulting in payouts of approximately R26.9 million.
Police further allege that the funds were transferred from A and F Consulting to Khulani Quality Contribution, a company linked to Msiska’s wife.
Bongani Mkhonto is accused of acting as a runner by sourcing identification details allegedly used to submit fraudulent claims.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Special Investigating Unit, the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.
During the probe, authorities froze bank accounts and seized five vehicles, while three properties in Pretoria, Middelburg and White River were also preserved along with household goods and office equipment.
The matter was postponed to 20 July 2026 for further investigation.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
