SIU Recovers R71.4 Million Linked to TERS Claims

1 min read
south africa siu

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has made a significant step in the fight against fraud and corruption in South Africa by recovering R71.4 million linked to Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) claims.

Misappropriation of TERS Funds

The TERS scheme was implemented to provide much-needed relief to businesses and individuals affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the misappropriation of funds has undermined the program’s effectiveness and the government’s efforts to support the economy. The SIU’s investigations have found cases of ineligible individuals receiving TERS payments and false, irregular, invalid, or defective applications being submitted to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Importance of Recovery

The SIU’s recovery of the funds is critical to ensure the relief funds are appropriately allocated and utilized to support businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic. The recovery of the R71.4 million is a positive development, but more needs to be done to address fraud and corruption in South Africa.

Need for Robust Measures

The government must implement more robust measures to prevent fraud and corruption and hold those responsible for their actions. Establishing a Special Tribunal to adjudicate cases arising from the SIU’s investigations and the National Prosecuting Authority prosecuting individuals implicated in corruption and fraud are steps in the right direction.

Ongoing Battle

The fight against fraud and corruption is an ongoing battle, and the recovery of misappropriated TERS funds is a small victory in a much larger war. The government and its agencies must remain vigilant and proactive in combating fraud and corruption and ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes.

Sarah Kendricks is a Cape Town journalist who covers the city’s vibrant food scene, from township kitchens reinventing heritage dishes to sustainable fine-dining at the foot of Table Mountain. Raised between Bo-Kaap spice stalls and her grandmother’s kitchen in Khayelitsha, she brings a lived intimacy to every story, tracing how a plate of food carries the politics, migrations and memories of the Cape.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

The Water and Sanitation Crisis in South Africa: Urgent Action Needed

Next Story

Cholera Outbreak in Hammanskraal Raises Concern Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Latest from Blog

**Saturday Shock: How Ten Seconds at Vangate Mall Exposed a National Kidnap Machine**

One Saturday morning, a little girl was almost snatched from a mall in South Africa! Luckily, her parents and some quickthinking shoppers stopped the kidnappers. This scary event showed how big and organized the child kidnapping problem is there. These bad guys target young children in busy places, using clever tricks and technology. The incident sparked outrage and exposed how malls often aren’t ready for such attacks. Now, people are looking for new ways, both hightech and simple, to protect kids from this terrible trade.

Cape Town’s Billion-Dollar Coast: How Twelve Months Rewrote the Property Record Books

Cape Town’s fancy houses are selling like hotcakes! Rich people can work from anywhere now, so they’re moving to beautiful Cape Town. Foreigners love the good exchange rate, making homes a steal for them. There’s also not much empty land left, and the city has better water and power. This makes Cape Town a super popular place for luxury living, with prices going way up!

**Cape Town’s N2 Nightmare: The Wall That Divides More Than Traffic**

Cape Town’s N2 highway became a battleground, with constant attacks on drivers. To fight this, the city is building a huge concrete wall, almost 3 meters tall and over 9 kilometers long, with hightech cameras and lights. This R330 million “fortress” aims to scare off criminals and keep people safe. But some wonder if this giant wall can really stop smart criminals, or if they’ll just find new ways to cause trouble. It’s a costly gamble, hoping concrete and cameras can solve a deeprooted problem.

From VHS to Footlights: Pretty Woman Reborn in Cape Town

Get ready, Cape Town! “Pretty Woman: The Musical” is coming, but with a vibrant local twist. Imagine the classic love story, but now Vivian Ward is played by a talented local, Leah Mari, and the music pulses with awesome African rhythms like mbira. The fancy Broadway sets are swapped for clever lights and a reflective stage that makes Vivian’s journey even more powerful. Even the story’s dialogue is changed to feel more like South Africa, with Edward gutting a wine empire instead of a shipyard. This isn’t just a show; it’s a new fairytale that sparks conversations and even helps local students, showing that this beloved story can shine even brighter in a new home.