Woman from KwaZulu-Natal stole R18 million and bought three cars and four houses

A businesswoman from KwaZulu-Natal has had her assets frozen due to her alleged links to the abuse of the Unemployment Insurance Fund Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (UIF TERS).

This scheme was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide salary support to struggling employees who lost income due to business distress and lockdowns.

For years, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has investigated the abuse of this scheme, which uncovered that KwaZulu-Natal businesswoman Yolanda Nombuso Mgobo allegedly received payments totalling R18.63 million.

Mgobo is the sole director of Yoluleko Trading and allegedly benefited from proceeds linked to several entities, including Ezogu Trading, Nakomang Trading, Ezikamshalaza Trading, Senzisipho, and Amakhosana Contractors.

It should be noted that Mgobo did not personally submit UIF TERS claims, though she and her company received funds from these entities, which were subsequently transferred to her personal accounts.

The SIU investigation revealed that Mgobo received over R18 million in payments in both her personal and business accounts. 

It further uncovered that between January and October 2022, Ezogu Trading made multiple payments to Mgobo totalling approximately R1.2 million. 

Between 6 April 2022 and 18 May 2023, Ezikamshalaza Trading made further payments to Mgobo as part of the broader flow of funds.

The last payment made on 23 May 2023 was R720,000. By 2023, Ezikamshalaza Trading had paid Mgobo a total of R1.7 million.

According to the SIU, she then used these proceeds for personal benefit and that of her life partner, Mr Hlalanathi Hopewell Mbangi, between 2020 and 2025.

The SIU said Mgobo and her partner acquired three vehicles: A Hyundai Tucson, a Ford Ranger, and a Toyota Corolla.

They also acquired four properties in KwaZulu-Natal over that period, including an R870,000 property in Knightswood, an R845,000 property in Uvongo, and two properties in Scottsburgh.

The last two properties were purchased on the same day in 2022 and valued at around R1 million each.

R161 million fraud case

The allegations against Mgobo form part of a broader, highly sophisticated syndicate that allegedly siphoned around R161 million from the UIF TERS scheme, which the SIU has been investigating.

In addition to freezing their assets, Special Tribunal Judge President Margaret Victor prohibited Mgobo, Mbangi, and Yoluleko Trading from selling, transferring, hiding, or disposing of specific vehicles and properties listed in the order while the investigation and hearings are ongoing. 

“This means that the assets must remain untouched until the Special Tribunal decides whether the agreement between the implicated parties and the department was unlawful,” the SIU explained.

“Although the assets are frozen, the individuals must continue to pay all associated costs related to the properties and vehicles, including levies, insurance, vehicle licensing, and any other related expenses.”

The SIU said these claims were found to be irregular and included the use of a ghost employee database to access relief funds. This, the unit said, constitutes a criminal offence.

The SIU will refer the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority to consider criminal prosecution.

The referral is set to cover charges of fraud and money laundering against Ezikamshalaza Trading, its members or directors, and all individuals or entities involved in enabling the unlawful activities.

“The SIU is also authorised to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation and to recover financial losses suffered by the state, including funds paid for services not rendered,” the SIU said.

“The SIU remains committed to recovering public funds lost through corruption and maladministration, and to holding accountable those who sought to exploit relief measures intended to support vulnerable workers and businesses during the pandemic.”