Limpopo court grants bail to accused in R300k Sassa fraud case
The case against the 20 suspects will continue on 24 March
LIMPOPO – The court has granted bail to 20 suspects who were arrested in connection with case of fraud involving South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) disability grants.
The department suffered a loss of over R300 000 as a result of the illegal activity and the suspects were arrested during three separate operations this past week.
During the initial take down operation on Monday, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s Serious Corruption Investigation Unit assisted by Tzaneen SAPS First Responders, Crime Intelligence Unit and Sassa officials, arrested 12 people, which included eight non-qualified South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) beneficiaries, three Nkowankowa Sassa officials and one intermediary. Further investigation led to the arrest of another eight suspects in Khobo village outside Tzaneen, six people on Tuesday morning and another two the same evening. The latest arrest brings the total amount of people arrested in connection with the case, to 20.
In an earlier statement the spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s Serious Corruption Investigation Unit (Hawks), Capt Matimba Maluleke explained that between the period of 2018 and 2019, the officials reportedly colluded with an intermediary to recruit non-qualified people in the Tzaneen area to register for disability grant at a fee. The Hawks’ investigations revealed that more than 21 people were recruited and paid a R3 500 gratification each.
The accused first appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 24 February and the case was postponed to Thursday. On Thursday the court granted bail to all suspects.
“The three Nkowankowa SASSA officials, aged 59, 51 and 46, and the 44-year-old intermediary were granted R5 000 bail each, while the remaining suspects were granted R2 000 bail each. Their case was postponed to 24 March, Maluleke said.
Meanwhile, the Hawks warned the public about scam artists who pretend to be Hawks officials, who extort money from families of arrested suspects.
The warning comes after the families of some of the arrested suspects paid a large sum of cash to a bogus Hawks member in order for their loves ones to be granted bail.
The scam artists identified himself as Col Monyela and claimed an amount of R40 000 from the families of the accused.
“We want to put the record straight that our members are not allowed to call the families of the accused persons and demand money in any way. If you can be called by someone claiming to be from the Hawks and demand money, know that you are about to be scammed. You are kindly advised to call the nearest police station,” Maluleke concluded.
