SASSA fraud case unfolds as accused face court
SASSA’s 19th anniversary is overshadowed by a massive R260-million fraud scandal, with officials among those accused.
As the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) marks its 19th anniversary and welcomes a new Director General, Mr. Peter Netshipale, the agency finds itself embroiled in yet another major fraud controversy.
Eleven suspects linked to an alleged R260-million fraud scheme are currently facing bail hearings at the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court, IOL reports.
SASSA fraud case implicates agency officials
The ongoing case has cast a shadow over SASSA’s operations, with seven of the eleven accused being agency employees. These individuals are charged with various offenses, including fraud and cybercrime, as investigators probe deeper into the scheme. The accused were arrested at a SASSA branch in Johannesburg, while others were taken from their homes, and one surrendered voluntarily.
Adding to the agency’s woes, this scandal follows other financial missteps, such as the revelation that 75,000 grant payments were mistakenly made to deceased individuals. While SASSA attempted to shift the blame to the Department of Home Affairs, concerns over internal fraud continue to mount.
Bail hearings and legal defense
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, many of the accused maintain their innocence. One SASSA employee testified during her bail hearing that she had no reason to flee, as she owns a consulting business generating R30,000 per month, in addition to her R18,000 SASSA salary. The legal process continues, with separate bail applications being heard throughout the week.
SASSA’s budget under scrutiny
The fraud case comes at a time when SASSA’s budget is under increased scrutiny. Social grants account for R285 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, making them one of the highest expenditures after debt servicing. With above-inflation increases of 5.9% recently implemented, the agency faces growing pressure to ensure that funds reach intended beneficiaries rather than being lost to fraud and mismanagement.
As investigations unfold, SASSA must balance its internal challenges while maintaining its commitment to providing crucial support to millions of South Africans.