135-year prison sentence for TERS fraudster

The UIF strongly welcomes a 135-year sentence meted out to bookkeeper Lindelani Gumede, for defrauding R11-million from the fund’s Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).

The bookkeeper submitted TERS claims on behalf of clients but conveniently forgot to make the clients aware.
Subsequently, an amount of R11.1-million was paid to Gumede’s business accounts, which he splurged on luxury items.

His clients, however, realised something was amiss after they were harangued by their own employees for not paying the TERS monies claimed, and they reported the matter to the police.

Following joint investigations between the UIF and the police, Gumede was arrested and pleaded guilty in court.

Last Thursday, Gumede was sentenced to 135 years for 32 counts of fraud.

UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping welcomed the sentence, praising the UIF’s Risk Management officials, the Hawks, and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for their intense collaborations in arresting and prosecuting Gumede.

“I hope this sentence sends a strong and clear message to those who unlawfully claimed for Covid-19 TERS, that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.

“The day is coming for everyone who wittingly helped themselves to monies that were meant for distressed workers during the devastating lockdown when employees lost their income.

“They will not escape. Working with law enforcement agencies, we will pursue anyone suspected of defrauding the fund,” said Maruping.

“I also hope the sentence serves as a deterrent to those who contemplate stealing from the UIF.”

To date, at least 30 suspects have been arrested for Covid-19 TERS-related offences, and the fund anticipates more arrests as Phase 2 of the ‘follow the money’ project, which began in July 2022, continues.

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