Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation offices arresting one of the disability grant fraud suspects.
Two former South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials and nine accomplices between the ages of 38 and 61 have been arrested for alleged fraud following a two-day sting operation in the Tzaneen area on 13 and 14 September.
According to the Hawks spokesperson in the province, Lieutenant Colonel Matimba Maluleke, the operation was conducted by the members from all Limpopo Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation offices assisted by SASSA officials.
During 2018, the two former SASSA officials in their capacities as Administration Clerks allegedly recruited members of the public to apply for disability grants although they were not disabled.
After their applications were successfully processed, the first few payments to unlawful beneficiaries were given to the former officials as gratification. Then the unlawful beneficiaries continued receiving the grants until it was discovered by the SASSA authorities who reported the matter to the Hawks.
The Department suffered a loss of over R200 000 due to these illegal activities. The two former officials were previously arrested by the same team in February 2021 for similar offences and released on bail. Whilst out on bail and the investigation was continuing, it was discovered that the suspects committed other similar offences.
All the arrested suspects are making their first court appearance in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Major General Gopz Govender has expressed his sincere gratitude to the team for a sterling work. “All corrupt government officials as well as members of the public will from this day going forward feel the unmistakable arm of the law”, concluded Major General Govender.