The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a ruling from the Special Tribunal to freeze the assets of a businesswoman from KwaZulu-Natal. These assets are tied to the misuse of the Unemployment Insurance Fund\u2019s Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (UIF TERS) during the COVID-19 crisis, with claims exceeding R18 million.<\/p>\n
This ruling stems from an investigation by the SIU, which indicated that Yolanda Nombuso Mgobo, who serves as the sole director of Yoluleko Trading (Pty) Ltd, profited from transactions associated with several firms. These firms include Ezogu Trading (Pty) Ltd, Nakomang Trading Enterprise CC, Ezikamshalaza Trading CC, Senzisipho (Pty) Ltd, and Amakhosana Contractors (Pty) Ltd. The investigation revealed that Mgobo received a total of R18,632,335 in payments deposited into her personal and corporate accounts.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the inquiry uncovered that Mgobo used these funds for her personal use and that of her partner, Mr. Hlalanathi Hopewell Mbangi, between 2020 and 2025.<\/p>\n
The assets frozen by the court include multiple vehicles: a Hyundai Tucson that Mgobo obtained in November 2020; a Ford Ranger that was transferred from Mgobo to Mbangi in December 2023; and a Toyota Corolla registered in Mgobo’s name in June 2025. In terms of real estate, assets were also affected. On April 16, 2022, Mbangi purchased a property in Knightswood, Scottburgh, worth R870,000. Later, on November 14, 2022, Mgobo and Mbangi jointly bought another property in Uvongo, valued at R845,000. On the same day, Mbangi acquired two further properties in Scottburgh, each costing around R1 million. Special Tribunal Judge President Margaret Victor has ordered that Mgobo, Mbangi, and Yoluleko Trading must not sell, transfer, conceal, or dispose of these specified vehicles and properties throughout the ongoing investigations and hearings.<\/p>\n
This ruling ensures that the assets remain protected until the Special Tribunal can adjudicate whether the transactions between the involved parties and the Department of Labour were executed unlawfully.<\/p>\n
Although Mgobo herself did not file the UIF TERS claims, she and her company benefited from funds related to the identified entities, which were later redirected to her personal accounts.<\/p>\n
The SIU’s inquiry found that from 2020 to 2023, Nakomang Trading Enterprise received about R19.2 million from the UIF, while Ezikamshalaza Trading was allocated R5.09 million, and Ezogu Trading received around R8.73 million. Between January and October 2022, Ezogu Trading issued numerous payments to Mgobo, summing up to roughly R1.2 million. Additionally, Ezikamshalaza Trading made further payments to Mgobo from April 6, 2022, to May 18, 2023, with the final sum of R720,000 transferred on May 23, 2023. By the end of that year, Ezikamshalaza Trading had transferred a total of R1,698,720 to Mgobo.<\/p>\n
As the assets are frozen, the responsible parties must handle all related costs\u2014including levies, insurance, vehicle licensing, and other expenses. The claims were deemed irregular, involving a “ghost employee” database to unlawfully access relief funds\u2014a serious offence. Following the SIU Act, the SIU will present the case to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for potential criminal charges.<\/p>\n
The referral will encompass allegations of fraud and money laundering directed at Ezikamshalaza Trading, its directors, and all individuals or entities implicated in these illegal actions. The SIU is dedicated to reclaiming public funds lost to corruption and holding accountable those who took advantage of relief measures meant for vulnerable workers and businesses during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the SIU has the authority to pursue civil actions in the High Court or Special Tribunal to recover the financial losses incurred by the State.<\/p>\n