THE South African Social Security Agency has slammed parents for cashing in on their prematurely lost infants by not reporting their deaths.

SASSA said it is illegal for parents to withdraw social grant payments for their dead children.

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The agency said it had received several tip-offs from community members of people engaging in this practise, calling it “insensitive” and “criminal”..

“This fraudulent act happens when the child passes on a few weeks or months after birth. Parents bury the child without informing Home Affairs. Unreported death and burial is illegal. SASSA and Home Affairs systems are linked on a population register of the country,” said SASSA in a statement.

SASSA warned that unreported death and burial is illegal and perpetrators could face jail time.

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