SIU raids homes in KZN amid multi-million UIF fraud probe

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is conducting simultaneous raids at properties of individuals and businesses in KwaZulu-Natal.

SIU Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says they’ve discovered that the money has been distributed amongst 16 companies and 35 individuals alleged to be part of a syndicate linked to defrauding the government of R161 million in COVID funds.

They allegedly made fraudulent claims from the UIF Temporary Employees Relief Assistance fund between March last year and June this year.

SIU AND SPECIALIZED POLICE UNITS EXECUTE SEARCH WARRANTS IN KWAZULU-NATAL
AND GAUTENG IN R161 MILLION UIF-TERS FRAUD SYNDICATE INVESTIGATION
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is today conducting a coordinated search and seizure operation across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng as… pic.twitter.com/4vQugjIDS7

— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) December 11, 2025

Among the homes raided is that of one of the alleged kingpins in Scottsburg on the South Coast. She is said to have received R18.6 million in the syndicate fund.

She also allegedly used the money to purchase properties and registered them under the name of her fiancé, who is also a suspect in the syndicate.

Other suspects targeted in the raids are in Pietermaritzburg and Port Shepstone, as well as officials at the UIF offices in Pretoria.

SIU raids Scottburgh home in multi-million rand UIF embezzlement probe: 

SIU says a uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party councillor from Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal is among those accused of fraud.

Kganyago says, “We are following up on some syndicates that were syphoning money out of the UIF what we call TERS. Therefore, they were pronging UIF with some false information and ghost employees, and they siphoned an amount of about R161 million. One of them is in this apartment and has received R18million of that R161 million. We are doing this search throughout the country, mainly in KZN and Gauteng, following about 35 individuals, and then we are now going to the next one, which will be in Port Shepstone, where we have got an MKP councillor who is also involved in this syndicate.”

-Report by Zanele Buthelezi