The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team arrested two women from Bethlehem for fraud and money laundering.
On Monday, 18 November, Karien Marx (58) was arrested for fraud she committed during the Covid-19 pandemic. She is facing charges of fraud and money laundering committed during the period of March to October 2020.
Apparently, Marx submitted claims to the Department of Labour for Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (Covid-19 TERS) relief, pertaining to benefits over an amount of one million rand. This was done through her company Pop Snax (Pty) Ltd.
The funds were approved by the department and deposited into the company account. It was further reported that only a portion of the money was used to pay employees, and the rest was for Marx’s personal use.
She made her first appearance in the Bethlehem Serious Commercial Crime Court on Monday, and her case has been postponed to Thursday, 28 November.
She was granted R5 000 bail.
Khahliso Isabel Motseremeli (48) was also arrested on Monday for fraud and money laundering committed between March and April 2020. Motseremeli submitted claims to the Department of Education for Covid-19 TERS funds through her non-profit organisation (NPO) called Paballong Day Care Center. The accused also applied for Covid-19 TERS funds for employees who did not qualify for benefits from the Department of Labour. A total amount of R36 247 was paid to the accused for her personal benefit.
The case against Motseremeli has been postponed to 18 January, and she was granted R1 000 bail by the Bethlehem Serious Commercial Crime Court.
