Man’s failed attempt to get Sassa disability grant lands him in jail

An Eastern Cape man has been sentenced to six months for fraudulently claiming a South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) disability grant.

Anele Gxumeka appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court last week, where the sentence was handed down.

Manipulating documents

This decision follows Gxumeka’s fraudulent attempts to benefit from the Sassa while manipulating medical documents to secure a social grant.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant-Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the 41-year-old Gxumeka went to the Lusikisiki Sassa offices to apply for a disability grant.

Gxumeka submitted his medical documents detailing his health history to the designated Sassa medical doctor for perusal. Upon scrutinising the documents, the doctor developed suspicions and picked up discrepancies in the medical card

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“Furthermore, the doctor also picked up that the illness transcribed on the documents did not make Gxumeka qualify for a disability grant. Therefore, Sassa promptly alerted the police, and then later the matter was referred to the Hawks for thorough investigation,” said Mhlakuvana.

Police alerted

Mhlakuvana said the doctor promptly alerted the police, and later, the matter was referred to the Hawks for a thorough investigation.

Investigations confirmed that Gxumeka submitted fraudulent documents to Sassa with the intent to defraud the institution, hence his arrest in February 2023. 

“Gxumeka made several court appearances until his sentencing by the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes court on 8 May 2025. Gxumeka was sentenced to undergo six months of direct imprisonment with no option of a fine,” Mhlakuvana said.

Sassa fraud

Last month, the 11 accused in the R260 Sassa were remanded behind bars after their court appearance

The accused fraudsters were back in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court, south of Johannesburg, to continue their bail application.

The case, which first made headlines in 2024, has faced multiple postponements.

The 11, including eight Sassa officials, are facing multiple charges, including cybercrime, fraud, and theft.

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