A 38-year-old woman has appeared in court on charges of fraud and money laundering after allegedly claiming Covid-19 relief funds for non-existent employees.

According to an article published by Bloemfontein Courant, Ntsebeng Marygold Moji appeared in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, following an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Bethlehem.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, Moji applied for Covid-19 relief funds on behalf of 16 people who were falsely listed as employees of her company.

“Over R178 000 was paid into her business account. However, investigations later revealed that none of the listed individuals had ever worked for her,” he says.

Authorities secured a warrant for Moji’s arrest after gathering evidence of her alleged fraudulent activities. She was taken into custody on Tuesday and appeared in court the same day.

Moji was granted bail of R5 000 and is set to appear in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on March 7.

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