By REGINALD KANYANE
7 August 2026 – The accused, Alinah Machobane (35) and Vusimuzi Machobane (46), who are a married couple, briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 6 August 2026, facing charges of fraud. The couple was arrested on 6 August 2026, by members of the Klerksdorp-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said their arrest emanates from an investigation into misappropriation of funds claimed from Covid-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme. Mathebula said it is reported that the accused, as directors of Klerksdorp Youth Club, applied for UIF Covid-19 TERS on behalf of their employees for the period of 27 March 2020 to 30 April 2021.
“Their application was reportedly approved and they received over R358 000. An investigation by the serious commercial crime investigation revealed the accused claimed for 16 people who were not employees of their company.
“Following an investigation, the duo was apprehended and charged with fraud. They appeared in court and were granted R5000 bail each. Their matter was postponed to 14 August 2026, for first appearance at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court sitting in Klerksdorp,” he said.
The Guardian 