A 38-year-old bakers’ bookkeeper accused of fraudulently claiming about R11 million from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Relief Funds has appeared before the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
Umhlanga-based Pert Gumede, who is a private bookkeeper for four bakeries, was in the dock on Thursday facing fraud and theft charges.
The court heard that Gumede allegedly scammed the UIF and the bakeries to unlawfully benefit from the relief funds.
It is alleged that between May last year and March 2021, Gumede submitted fraudulent documents to claim the UIF relief funds of R11 183 526 million under four bakeries.
All the bakeries are based in Gauteng.
South Africa’s elite crime busters – the Hawks – from Germiston tracked Gumede to Durban, where they arrested him on Wednesday, 25 August.
The Hawks seized Gumede’s luxurious vehicles and secured a preservation order for his land, bank accounts, and assets.
Gumede was remanded in custody pending further investigations.
The case was moved to the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where Gumede will appear for a bail hearing on Tuesday, 31 August 2021.
