The net widens as more alleged SASSA fraudsters were nabbed by super-sleuth police officers. This time, a Woodhurst (outside Durban) couple and their 26-year-old son were taken into police custody.

The trio of Adam, Rita and Ryson Frank were arrested on the grounds of allegedly being in possession of suspected stolen property, a schedule five substance and of an altered identity document.

Dozens of SASSA cards, bank cards and identity documents were also retrieved from their home. The accused appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Friday, pleading not guilty to the charges as their attorney, Shameer Goolabjith, explained to the presiding magistrate, Naresh Bhikha, that they could only afford R1 000 towards bail.

Some of the stolen property for which the trio were charged for included medicinal drugs and a police blue light.

In addition, over two dozens worth of identity documents, passports and licences were recovered.

Against the family’s wishes, Bhikha set bail at R5 000 with strict conditions to follow for the trio, some of which include appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Chatsworth Police Station, no interference in the case, in addition to not staying anywhere other than their home address at Sunset Avenue, with any changes in their residency needing to be run by the investigating officer.

Police are still investigating as to whether they are part of a high-profile syndicate or working independently. They will reappear in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on December 6 after further investigations are carried out.