Mr Thabo Thobeli (59) pleaded guilty to 49 charges of fraud on behalf of his company Botsho Botle CC, and 50 counts of money laundering on himself.
Between April 2020 and December 2020, the accused served as a director of an entity known as Botsho Botle CC. The company submitted fraudulent Covid-19 Temporary Employment Relief Fund claims to the Department of Labour. Mr Thobeli forged payslips and made submissions on behalf of persons as though they worked for his company through misrepresentation.
The Department of Labour made a payment to Mr Thobeli’s company upon receipts of fraudulent documents.
The Department suffered a loss of R145 000, which was paid to the company but never reached the beneficiaries for whom the claim was on behalf of.
The accused made a brief appearance before Kimberley Serious Commercial Crimes Court on Monday, 25 May 2025 and pleaded guilty to the charges. The case will be back in the same Court for pre-sentence, probation reports and sentencing on 10 July 2026.
The Provincial Head of Northern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Stephen Mabuela welcome the conviction and said “our commitment to properly investigate Covid-19 cases remains, those who unduly benefitted will face full might of the law” concluded the General.