UIF-TERS fraudster in court
In a shocking case of greed and deceit, Thabo Abel Simbini, a director of Impossible Services Pty Ltd, has been arrested and charged with defrauding the Department of Employment and Labour during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in October 2020.
Simbini stands accused of submitting fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Fund, Temporary Employment Relief Scheme (UIF-TERS) applications for over 8100 ghost employees.
The claims were approved for just over R111 million that was consequently paid into his bank account.
The authorities were alerted to the fraud when an initial probe revealed that only Simbini was declared in the UIF database as an employee of the entity.
The Hawks’ Serious Corruption investigation team were able to attain several affirmations from individuals whose details were submitted, declaring them as employees of the entity, but who had no ties to the company.
The bank accounts of the entity were frozen, culminating in Simbini’s arrest, but not before he tried enticing authorities to assist him in siphoning funds from the blocked bank accounts.
Simbini now faces charges of fraud, theft, and corruption. Despite this, the court granted him R15 000 bail, and the case has been postponed until June 27, for docket content disclosure.
This case is a stark reminder of how some individuals will go to great lengths to enrich themselves, even during times of crisis.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, the Gauteng Provincial Head of the Hawks, has applauded the investigators and vowed to pursue justice in this case, stating that “the Hawks will stop at nothing to ensure that justice is not only served but also seen to be done.”
The ramifications of this fraud extend far beyond the financial loss to the Department of Employment and Labour.
It is likely that many legitimate businesses and individuals were denied access to these funds due to the fraudulent claims submitted by Simbini and his accomplices.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect the world, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and hold those who seek to exploit this crisis accountable for their actions.
In the words of Major General Kadwa, “It is unacceptable to see that during such a devastating pandemic that gripped the country and the world, there were individuals who selfishly saw an opportunity to enrich themselves.” Let us all stand together and condemn such actions, and work towards building a more just and equitable society for all.