A former SASSA official, Norman Cecil Nkuna (47), appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court facing charges of fraud and corruption on Friday, April 19. After recruiting, they allegedly took their personal particulars and captured them on the SASSA system applying for the grants without following the proper procedures.

According to information received by the Hawks, the disability grant would be approved, and the SASSA officials would benefit by taking the first three months’ payments and thereafter handing over the SASSA grant card to the owners for further payments. The state suffered a loss of more than R250 000 as a result of these offences.

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The matter was reported to the Hawks in Phalaborwa and the investigations were conducted and subsequently a warrant of arrest was issued by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The accused was then arrested in Tzaneen by members of the Hawks on Friday.

He appeared before court and was granted bail of R3000. The matter was postponed to May 10 to the Polokwane Specialised Crimes Commercial Court. Eleven people related to the case were previously arrested and released on bail. The provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Maj Gen Gopz Govender, praised the investigators for their sterling work.