The case against seven South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials has been postponed to April 1 for a bail hearing.

The officials appeared before the Lenasia Magistrate Court on March 18, facing numerous charges. They appeared alongside three of their accomplices, who were not employed by SASSA, to face more than one thousand fraud-related charges.

Four accused were arrested last month, the other four were arrested on Friday while another two handed themselves over on Sunday and Monday respectively.

SASSA acting CEO, Themba Matlou, said the arrests are a step in the right direction as the agency is intent on rooting out all forms of fraud and corruption elements within its ranks.

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“What we have seen in the last few weeks is a culmination of the hard work of our officials, working with the SAPS in clamping down on fraud and corruption at SASSA,” emphasised Matlou.

He said that he encourages the members of the public to assist SASSA by lifting the lid where they notice suspicious activities.

“We cannot win this fight alone, we appeal to the members of the community to assist us to root out the scourge”, he said.

SASSA appeals and encourages members of the public to work together with the agency and report grant fraud or corruption to 0800 60 10 11 or the National Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 701 701.

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