The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has welcomed the sentencing of Lindelani Pert Gumede (40), for fraudulently depriving worthy recipients of the relief funds during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
At the time of the offence during 2020, Gumede worked as a bookkeeper for four companies including Lameli Pty. The Hawks’ Serious Investigation revealed that Gumede defrauded the UIF through TERS claims made to the Department of Labour. These claims were made on behalf of employees of the companies and other individuals without their knowledge or consent.
The money to the total value of just over R11 million was approved and deposited into Gumede’s business account from which he used for self-enrichment. The Hawks’ arrested Gumede in Durban on 25 August 2021 after a warrant was authorised.
The Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court has on Thursday, 18 August 2022 sentenced Gumede to an effective twenty (20) years direct imprisonment on 32 counts of fraud. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Gauteng Provincial Head of the DPCI has applauded the successful conviction and sentencing of Gumede. “Taking into consideration that this took place during the hard lockdown when many people had lost their livelihood. It is very sad that we have such self-serving individuals, we hope that this will serve as a deterrent to would be fraudsters that ill-gotten gains are not worth it, justice has prevailed in the end”, he said.
