South African Man Arrested for Covid-19 Relief Fraud After 18 Months on the Run

Tokelo Winston Frederick Modiboa, a 59-year-old man accused of fraudulently receiving Covid-19 relief payments, has been arrested at the Ramatlabama border post with Botswana after evading authorities for 18 months.

Why this matters: The fraudulent activities involving Covid-19 relief funds highlight the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring the proper distribution of relief funds during the pandemic. If left unchecked, such fraud can erode public trust in government programs and divert much-needed resources away from those who need them most.

Modiboa was apprehended on May 30, 2024, by the Border Management Authority (BMA). He appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrates' Court on May 31, 2024, facing charges of fraud related to the Covid-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS).

The TERS was established in 2020 to provide financial assistance to employers who could not pay their employees as a result of the national lockdown imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19. However, some individuals allegedly submitted fraudulent claims, and Modiboa is accused of receiving payments from three of these individuals.

According to Hawks spokesperson Col Tinyiko Mathebula, Modiboa received R27,000 from Kegomoditswe Parisian Moselane, who allegedly submitted fraudulent claims of R271,000 for 47 individuals who never worked for her company. Modiboa also received R34,000 from Irving Ikgopoleng Mongale, who claimed R970,000 for 150 individuals who were never employees at his company. Additionally, Modiboa received R89,500 from Khotjwe Goodwin Motsei, who fraudulently claimed more than R1 million for 133 individuals whom he alleged to be his employees.

The Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, in collaboration with the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), conducted the investigation that led to Modiboa's arrest. Seven suspects, including Modiboa, were initially arrested in November 2022. Further investigation led to the arrest of 14 more suspects, all of whom have been charged with fraud.

Modiboa joins 20 other accused implicated in the Covid-19 TERS fraudulent claims, which occurred between 2020 and 2021. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 5, 2024.

The fraudulent activities involving the TERS funds highlight the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring the proper distribution of relief funds during the pandemic. The substantial amounts of money falsely claimed highlight the severity of the fraud.

Authorities remain committed to holding those responsible for the fraudulent claims accountable and recovering the misappropriated funds as the inquiry unfolds.

Key Takeaways

• Tokelo Modiboa, 59, arrested for fraudulently receiving Covid-19 relief payments.
• Modiboa evaded authorities for 18 months before being caught at Botswana border.
• He received R150,500 in fraudulent payments from 3 individuals.
• Modiboa is 1 of 21 accused implicated in Covid-19 TERS fraudulent claims.
• Authorities committed to holding accountable those responsible for fraud.