The Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court handed down the sentence following a detailed investigation by the SIU into fraudulent claims submitted to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) during the pandemic.

Ntsebeng Marygold Moji was convicted of theft and money laundering. The court sentenced her to a fine of R178,128 for theft, with an alternative of four years’ imprisonment.

She also received a five-year prison sentence for money laundering, which was wholly suspended for a period of five years. Her company, Aqua Land and Swimming Services, was fined R200,000 for theft and a further R200,000 for money laundering. Both fines were suspended for five years, on condition that the company does not commit similar offences during that period.

‘Moji’s company lodged fraudulent Ters applications with the UIF on behalf of 16 individuals who were not employees’

“The sentencing follows the SIU’s investigation, which uncovered that in 2020, Moji’s company lodged fraudulent Ters applications with the UIF on behalf of 16 individuals who were not employees. The UIF subsequently paid R178,128 into Aqua Land’s business account,” said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.

In line with its legislative mandate, the SIU referred the evidence of criminal conduct to the NPA, which led to Moji’s arrest by the Hawks in February.

“The evidence, referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and forming the basis for the Directorate for Priority Crime investigation’s arrest in February 2025, revealed that the individuals were ‘ghost employees’. 

“During an interview with one of them, the SIU confirmed that the person had never been employed by Aqua Land and had never received any payments from the company.

“Forensic analysis of Aqua Land’s bank statements showed no evidence that the Ters funds received from the UIF were ever used to pay salaries to any employees,” Kganyago added.

The case represents a critical step in enforcing accountability, he said, adding the sentencing of Moji and her company is part of implementing the outcomes of the SIU investigation and ensuring consequence management.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs