 officials and a former official, have been arrested in Gauteng for social grants fraud of about R4.9 million. ){kind=link}
By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Four suspects, including two current South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials and a former official, have been arrested in Gauteng for social grants fraud of about R4.9 million.
The arrests were made on Tuesday by Gauteng police’s provincial investigating unit following an investigation into allegations relating to the unlawful processing and approval of social grants.
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One suspect was apprehended at a workshop in Heidelberg, while the remaining three were arrested in Soshanguve.
“These arrests are the result of a coordinated investigation involving the agency’s fraud and compliance unit, working in close collaboration with law enforcement authorities,” SASSA said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We welcome these arrests and commend the SAPS provincial investigating unit, together with our internal fraud and compliance teams, for their decisive and coordinated action,” said SASSA Gauteng acting regional executive manager, Godfrey Mohlanyane.
“SASSA maintains a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption. Any official who abuses their position to defraud the agency not only undermines public trust but also deprives deserving beneficiaries of critical social assistance. Such conduct will be met with the full might of the law, including criminal prosecution and internal disciplinary processes,” he said.
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Mohlanyane said safeguarding public funds remained a top priority for the agency. He said he hoped the arrests would act as a deterrent.
“SASSA will not hesitate to act against anyone who seeks to manipulate the social assistance system for personal gain. Protecting the integrity of the social grant system and ensuring that assistance reaches the rightful beneficiaries is non-negotiable,” he said.
SASSA said it remained “steadfast in strengthening internal controls, enhancing monitoring mechanisms, and intensifying consequence management to root out fraud and protect the integrity of the social assistance system”.
The agency asked members of the public and employees to report suspected fraudulent activities to their nearest SASSA office or directly to police.
Whistleblowers were encouraged to report wrongdoing anonymously, it said.