A 48-year-old Malawian-born permanent South African resident, Fumu Mkalira Msiska; his 48-year-old wife, Gladness Msiska Mkhonto; and his 39-year-old brother-in-law, Bongani Zoran Mkhonto, appeared before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 May 2026. They face charges related to alleged fraud involving the COVID-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).
Msiska and his wife were granted bail of R300,000 each. Bongani Mkhonto was granted bail of R3,000.
The three individuals handed themselves over to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit based in Nelspruit on Sunday, 17 May 2026. Their surrender followed a lengthy joint investigation conducted by the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU).
The investigation revealed that the company A and F Consulting allegedly benefited unlawfully from the COVID-19 TERS by claiming funds for more than 700 ghost employees and former employees. The company reportedly received approximately R26,943,793.19 through the scheme in 2020.
The funds were allegedly transferred from A and F Consulting to Khulani Quality Contribution, a company linked to Msiska’s wife.
The brother-in-law allegedly acted as a runner by sourcing identification particulars used to facilitate fraudulent claims involving ghost employees and former workers of the company.
During the investigation, the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit secured the freezing of bank accounts and seized five vehicles. Three properties located in Pretoria, Middelburg, and White River were preserved, along with household goods and office equipment.
The matter was postponed to 20 July 2026 for further investigation.