Malawian national Fumu Mkalira Msiska (48), his 48-year-old wife Gladness Msiska Mkhonto, as well as his 39-year-old brother-in-law Bongani Zoran Mkhonto, all briefly appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday (May 18) on charges related to Covid-19 fraud.

According to Middelburg Observer, the alleged fraud involved Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) funds claimed on behalf of ghost employees.

Bail was established at R300 000 each for Msiska and his wife, and R3 000 for their brother-in-law.

The trio handed themselves over to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit in Mbombela on Sunday.

Investigation findings

A joint investigation by the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit, the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit revealed that A and F Consulting allegedly benefited unlawfully from the TERS by claiming funds for more than 700 ghost employees and former employees.

The company allegedly received approximately R27m through the scheme in 2020.

It is further alleged that the funds were transferred from A and F Consulting to Khulani Quality Contribution, a company linked to Msiska’s wife.

The brother-in-law allegedly acted as a runner by sourcing identification particulars used to facilitate fraudulent claims involving ghost employees and former workers of the company.

Assets seized

During the investigation, the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit secured the freezing of bank accounts and seized five vehicles.

In addition, three properties located in Pretoria, Middelburg and White River were attached, along with household goods and office equipment.

The matter was postponed to July 20.

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