Latest news with #DirectorateforPriorityCrimesInvestigation
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
Pietermaritzburg businesswoman accused of defrauding Covid-19 TERS of R4 million
File A Pietermaritzburg businesswoman has been arrrested for allegedly defrauding the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme. Almost three years after a Pietermaritzburg businesswoman allegedly defrauded the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) of millions, she made her first appearance in court this week. Sindisiwe Mdluli-Myeza was arrested on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) on charges of fraud and money laundering. According to Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, it is alleged that during the period between November 2020 and October 2022, Mdluli-Myeza applied for the Covid-19 relief fund from the Department of Employment and Labour. "She claimed R4,229,044.61 from the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme. Preliminary investigation revealed that no employees were employed by her company, and the company was not entitled to claim."
IOL News
28-05-2025
- IOL News
Limpopo driving school instructors, traffic examiners arrested for fraud
The Hawks in Limpopo have arrested four suspects at the Lephalale Police Station in a driving license fraud case. Two driving school instructors, a traffic examiner, and a former traffic officer have been nabbed in connection with the fraudulent issuing of driver's licences. The four were arrested on Wednesday morning in Limpopo by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) on allegations of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The suspects, aged between 37 and 61, were arrested in the Lephalale area and are expected to appear in the Lephalale Magistrate's Court today. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, it is alleged that in 2021, examiners at the Lephalale Testing Station colluded with the driving school owners and defrauded the Department of Road and Transport by issuing learner's and driver's licenses without following proper procedures in exchange for bribes. 'The information was brought to the attention of the Polokwane-based Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC),' Mmuroa said.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
Fraudster posing as US government official swindles R100,000 from victim
The suspect is alleged to have used Facebook for his scam. A 29-year-old man who posed as a US government official and swindled almost R100,000 is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. The man who was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) faces charges of fraud and money laundering. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said the arrest follows an extensive investigation into fraud allegations, including the swindling of R85,800 from an unsuspecting victim in December 2022. 'It is alleged that the complainant was contacted via e-mail by a suspect who introduced himself as a representative of the government of the United States of America. The complainant was promised a Covid-19-related grant on condition that she deposit money into a certain bank account,' Matoti said.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
How a Facebook scammer posing as a US official was caught in the Western Cape
The suspect is alleged to have used Facebook for his scam. A 29-year-old man who posed as a US government official and swindled almost R100,000 is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. The man who was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) faces charges of fraud and money laundering. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said the arrest follows an extensive investigation into fraud allegations, including the swindling of R85,800 from an unsuspecting victim in December 2022. 'It is alleged that the complainant was contacted via e-mail by a suspect who introduced himself as a representative of the government of the United States of America. The complainant was promised a Covid-19-related grant on condition that she deposit money into a certain bank account,' Matoti said.
