This week’s case took place in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes.
We have Lindelani Gumede, a bookkeeper, who was sentenced to 135 years for 32 counts of fraud on 18 August 2022.
Lindelani submitted Covid-19 TERS claims on behalf of a number of his clients, however, Lindelani suitably forgot to inform his clients about the claims. Thereafter, an amount of R11,1 million was paid to Lindelani’s business accounts due to the claims.
Lindelani used the money to live a lavish lifestyle, he purchased immoveable and moveable assets which included houses and a car.
Preservation orders were effected against:
- Two accounts to the value R3,065,114.08.
- Four immoveable properties valued R2,662,986.60.
- One vehicle that was bought for R665,000.
Lindelani was caught because his Bookkeeping clients realised something was wrong after they were criticised by their employees for not paying the Covid-19 TERS monies that were claimed, and they reported the matter to the police. Following joint investigations between the UlF and the police, Gumede was arrested and pleaded guilty in court.
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Source: Labour.gov and IOL.co.za