SASSA grants can be collected from TODAY Image: @RantsSouth / Twitter
SASSA: Four Eastern Cape business people arrested for R2 million fraud
Police have arrested four businessmen for an alleged R2 milion fraud involving the SASSA in the Eastern Cape.
SASSA grants can be collected from TODAY Image: @RantsSouth / Twitter
The Eastern Cape’s police units have apprehended four three men and a woman for an alleged R2 million SASSA fraud case. The alleged crime reportedly took place in KwaNobuhle, Kariega (formerly known as Uitenhage).
SASSA EASTERN CAPE FRAUD: SUSPECTS CONSPIRED WITH PROJECT MANAGER
According to the report, the four suspects joined forces with a SASSA project manager before the alleged crime was executed.
The four suspects include Vusumzi Rapiya, Aubrey Gqezengele, Mzamo Pono, and Noxolo Pono. They worked for A & V Holdings and SUV & Spokie Trading in varying capacities.
The alleged SASSA fraud led the quadruple to appear at the East London Specialised Commercial Crime Court on charges of fraud and corruption.
SIU CONFIRMS HAWKS AND SASSA COLLABORATION
According to an official statement from the province’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the inquiry discovered that the four suspects colluded with a SASA project Local Office Improvement Project (LOIP).
The group allegedly committed the crime in the process of planning and construction of KwaNobuhle SASSA Office in the Eastern Cape to defraud SASSA.
“The investigation focused on the fleet management of the SASSA within the Eastern Cape Region; fuel fleet card management of the SASSA within the Eastern Cape Region and KwaZulu-Natal Region; asset management of the SASSA within the Eastern Cape Region; and contract management of the SASSA in respect of persons appointed by the SASSA as Family Finders within the Limpopo Region” the statement added.
“Two of the four service providers have signed Acknowledgement of Debt (AoD’s) with the SIU, committing to pay back the money which was fraudulently claimed and received. The signing of AOD is not a substitute or immunity from criminal prosecution.”
Meanwhile, the SASSA Eastern Cape fraud suspects have been granted R1,000 bail each and the case is set to resume on 6 December.
