Once again, the South African Social Security Agency is on the defensive as eleven accused in a massive SASSA fraud scheme appear in court. So, while SASSA appointed a new Director General, Mr. Peter Netshipale, and celebrated its 19th birthday this week, suspects had their bail hearings in the SASSA fraud scheme case.
Moreover, it’s understood that seven of the eleven are agency officials, charged in connection with the alleged R260-million SASSA fraud scheme. Bail hearings will continue to be heard this week in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court, reports IOL.
ALLEGED SASSA FRAUD SCHEME
Unfortunately, things continue to go from bad to worse for SASSA senior management. Postponed SASSA grant increases left millions of clients in the lurch. As did the on-going Postbank card migration debacle. Then the bombshell from the South African Post Office that they will not be assisting affected SASSA/Postbank beneficiaries in anyway after the 31 May deadline.
Furthermore, the latest SASSA fraud scheme investigations follow a blunder that saw 75 000 grant payments made to deceased people. The agency tried to stick the blame on the Department of Home Affairs, however, it’s clear that it may be yet another elaborate SASSA fraud scheme at play.
BAIL HEARINGS CONTINUE
Nevertheless, most of the accused in the alleged SASSA fraud scheme intend to plead not guilty. One SASSA employee said in her bail hearing that she would not flee as she runs a consulting business that earns her R30 000 monthly on top of her R18 000 monthly salary from SASSA. She says she’s the director of her own company, offering consulting services and advertising, as well as shuttle services.
Out of the eleven accused, seven are employed by SASSA. More than 1 300 counts of theft, fraud and cybercrime have been levelled against the suspects in this case. SASSA employees were arrested at a SASSA branch in Johannesburg last month. While others were taken into custody at their homes and one surrendered to the authorities voluntarily. Separate bail applications continue this week in Lenasia.
After debt servicing, SASSA grants account for the highest portion of the National Treasury’s budget in South Africa. This amounts to R285 billion for SASSA social grants in the 2025/26 financial year, after above-inflation (5.9%) increases came into effect this month.
IS ANY SASSA GRANT SAFE FROM CORRUPT OFFICIALS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
