Two women, Marx Maria Karien (58) and Khahliso Isabel Motseremeli (48), have appeared before the Bethlehem Serious Commercial Crime Court to face charges of fraud and money laundering. The charges stem from separate cases involving fraudulent Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) claims.
Karien is accused of submitting fraudulent claims to the Department of Labour for TERS benefits totaling over R1 million between March and October 2020. The claims were submitted through her company, Pop Snax (Pty) Ltd, and were approved by the department. However, it is alleged that while some of the funds were used to pay employees, a significant portion was diverted for her personal use. The matter was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, leading to Karien’s arrest in Bethlehem on November 18, 2024. She appeared in court the same day, and her case was postponed to November 28, with bail set at R5,000.
In a separate case, Motseremeli is accused of submitting claims for Covid-19 TERS funds through her non-profit organization, Paballong Day Care Centre, between March and April 2020. Allegedly, she applied for benefits on behalf of employees who were not eligible for TERS funds, receiving R36,247.05 for her personal gain. The investigation was also taken up by the Hawks, resulting in Motseremeli’s arrest on November 18, 2024. Her case has been postponed to January 18, 2025, and she was granted bail of R1,000.
Both women are facing serious charges, and the investigations are ongoing as authorities work to address fraudulent activity related to the Covid-19 relief schemes.
