Johannesburg – An Eastern Cape businessman was arrested by the Hawks yesterday for money laundering, theft and fraud involving the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS ) funds.
Mark Jonathan Vorster (43) appeared in the East London Magistrates’ Court where he was released on R10 000 bail.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said Vorster allegedly made fraudulent UIF claims for his company and other five companies to receive the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) funds whereas the companies were fully operational.
“He received more than R884 000 cash from the scheme and the owners of other companies were not aware of the claim.Such discrepancies were discovered by the bank official who also managed to recover half of the money from the accused’ bank account,” she said.
Mogale said acting on a tip off, the Hawks team in Pretoria conducted the investigation.
A warrant for his arrest was issued and he was arrested yesterday.
“A laptop and a cellphone were seized from the accused as part of an ongoing investigation’,” she said.
Mogale said Vorster will appear in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court to face the charges on Thursday July 29.
Also read: Zuma won’t be in chains or dressed in orange overalls when attending brother’s funeral
Two arrested for being in possession of 19 rhino horns worth R2.6m
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
Sunday World
