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

Dawn, Dirt and Dinner: A Willowvale Kitchen Without Walls

In Willowvale, farmers cleverly plant in manurefilled pits to save water and feed the soil. They also build special ditches to catch rainwater, making sure not a single drop goes to waste. Cooking happens outdoors, over crackling fires, using fresh food grown right there. They even turn old things into new cooking tools. It’s all about living close to the earth and making every bit count, showing a deep love for nature.

Cape Town Quietly Rewrites the Rules Between Tradition and the State

Cape Town is cleverly changing how it supports traditional initiation camps. They now treat these camps like temporary city areas, providing water, toilets, and trash pickup. This helps keep everyone safe and healthy, using smart data to track everything. It’s a quiet revolution, making sure old traditions fit smoothly into modern city life, and other cities are starting to notice this clever plan.

South Africa Plays Hardball on Hoof-and-Mouth: A Five-Year Blitz to Reopen R7 Billion in Beef Trade

South Africa is launching a massive fiveyear plan to crush FootandMouth Disease for good. They’re upgrading labs, getting tons of vaccines, and working with villages to tag and track every animal. This tough new strategy, backed by big money, aims to reopen a R7 billion beef trade with countries like China and the EU. They’re using strict rules, new tech, and even special meetings with local leaders to make sure no sick animal slips through. It’s a fullon war to protect their cattle and bring back their valuable beef exports!

South Africa’s Gateways in November 2025: 3,1 Million Footprints in 30 Days

In November 2025, South Africa saw a massive 3.1 million people cross its borders. This huge number of visitors, especially 2.37 million noncitizens, made it the busiest November for foreign entries since before COVID hit in 2019. It was like a river of people flowing in, showing how popular South Africa had become again.