Two Sassa officials arrested for giving out fake disability grant

Giyani Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Limpopo has reportedly sentenced two South African Social Security Agency officials to five years imprisonment each for fraud on 21 February.

In a statement, police spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleke said Solani Agnes Baloyi, 56, and Jacob Manamela, 64, devised a plan to loot the country’s social grant funds meant for disabled individuals.

THE ACCUSED TARGETED UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN THEIR AREAS

They approached a number of unemployed persons within their area and convinced them to apply for disability grant.

These individuals were, however, not disabled and would not generally qualify for such a grant.

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The accused successfully processed the payments were made to unfit beneficiaries.

The agreement was that the first payments would go to the officials while the other payments would be for the beneficiaries.

SASSA AUTHORITIES LAUNCH INVESTIGATION

Authorities from Sassa received a tip-off about the fraudulent activities and reported the matter to the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation.

“After conducting a thorough investigation, the accused were arrested and released on bail until they were found guilty and sentenced.

ALSO READ: Stealing from the poor: Hawks arrest over 80 in R21m SASSA fraud probe

“The department has suffered a loss of R600 000-00 due these fraudulent activities,” said Captain Maluleke.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Major-General Gopz Govender, has stated that this should serve as a deterrent to other fraudsters who might commit fraud on monies that are meant to assist members of the community who are living with disabilities.

IN A SEPERATE INCIDENT….

Earlier this year, three suspects, aged between 24 and 39 years old, were found in possession of suspected fraudulent SASSA cards which they were using to withdraw money.

They were also found in possession of over R60 000 in cash, 32 SASSA cards, 22 bank cards from various banking institutions as well as four cellphones.

ALSO READ: Stealing from the poor: Hawks arrest over 80 in R21m SASSA fraud probe

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