Fraud case against seven SASSA officials postponed to April

Share the Article:

A total of seven South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials appeared before the Lenasia magistrate court on Tuesday for over 1,300 counts of cybercrime, fraud, and theft.

The accused are Phumelele Myeza, 37, Paul Bones, 49, Keamogetswe Irene Ledwaba, 49, Siphesihle Phumzile Dlamini, 30, and Phiwe Mkhuzangwe, 37, appeared alongside three of their accomplices not at the employ of SASSA.

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

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the five officials appearing in court will now join four others, who were apprehended last month under similar allegations.

Adding that the suspects allegedly created fictitious Sassa accounts, allowing them to withdraw funds illicitly from various supermarkets across Gauteng.

The matter was postponed to the 1st of April 2025 for bail hearing.

SASSA acting chief executive officer, 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.

Clamping down on fraud

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

In addition, he encouraged the members of the public to assist SASSA by lifting the lid where they notice suspicious activities.

ALSO READ | Bushiri’s to be extradited to Mzansi, court rules

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

 SASSA appeals and encourages members of the public to work together with the agency and report grant fraud or corruption.