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Western Cape company director accused of COVID-19 TERS fund fraud out on bail

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A director of a company based in Bredasdorp in the Western Cape has been granted bail of R5 000 by a local magistrate’s court.

64-year old Andre Appelgryn appeared in court on Friday after being arrested on charges of fraud related to the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme TERS funds.

Hawks Spokesperson, Zinzi Hani says last year, Appelgryn allegedly claimed TERS funds from the Labour Department on behalf of employees who were working for him, prior to the coronavirus pandemic and used the monies to service his payroll.

“Subsequently, an amount of R345 970, 20 was paid into his business account. This resulted in a joint investigation between UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) and the police after they realised that the TERS monies were claimed unlawfully as the workers were working through lockdown and receiving their full salaries. They were not eligible for the TERS imbursement. The matter was then reported to the Hawks for further investigation which resulted in the arrest of the accused. The accused was granted a R5 000 bail.”

UIF update on Temporary Employment Relief Scheme | Marsha Bronkhorst

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