A Northern Cape businessman has been sentenced to an effective three years’ direct imprisonment after admitting to defrauding the Covid-19 Temporary Employment Relief Fund (TERS) of R145,000 through fraudulent claims submitted during the height of the pandemic.
Thabo Thobeli, 59, pleaded guilty to 49 counts of fraud and 50 counts of money laundering linked to his company, Botsho Botle CC, in the Kimberley Serious Commercial Crimes Court.
According to the Hawks, Thobeli committed the offences between April and December 2020 while serving as the director of Botsho Botle CC.
Investigators found that he submitted fraudulent TERS claims to the Department of Labour by forging payslips and falsely claiming that several individuals were employees of his company.
Based on the fraudulent documentation, the Department of Labour paid R145,000 into the company’s account. However, the money never reached the intended beneficiaries and was instead misappropriated.
Thobeli first appeared before the Kimberley Serious Commercial Crimes Court on May 25, 2025, where he pleaded guilty to the charges.
On Tuesday, the court sentenced Botsho Botle CC to a R50,000 fine, wholly suspended for five years.
Thobeli was sentenced to 36 months’ direct imprisonment. He was also fined R50,000 for contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), with the fine wholly suspended for five years.
He will serve an effective prison sentence of three years.
Welcoming the sentence, Hawks Northern Cape Provincial Head Major General Stephen Mabuela said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation remained committed to pursuing those who abused Covid-19 relief measures.
“Our commitment to properly investigate Covid-19 cases remains. Those who unduly benefitted will face the full might of the law,” Mabuela said.
The Hawks said the sentence sends a strong message that those who exploited emergency relief funds intended to assist struggling workers during the Covid-19 pandemic will be held accountable.
