Key Points
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Man sentenced for Sassa disability grant fraud.
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Fake medical records exposed during routine checks.
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Sassa praises vigilance and zero financial loss.
A 41-year-old Eastern Cape man, Anele Gxumeka, has been sentenced to six months in prison after attempting to fraudulently obtain a disability grant from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
The Mthatha Magistrate’s Court handed down the sentence after investigations proved he submitted forged medical documents to support his claim.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, Gxumeka visited the Lusikisiki Sassa office on February 9, 2023, to apply for the grant.
He presented documents from a medical doctor detailing a condition he claimed made him eligible for the grant.
However, discrepancies in the paperwork raised red flags with the Sassa-appointed doctor.
The doctor flagged the inconsistencies, noting that the illness cited did not qualify for disability status. The case was then escalated to the police and later handed over to the Hawks for deeper investigation.
Sassa disability grant fraud uncovered before payout
Investigators discovered that the documents Gxumeka submitted were fraudulent. Based on the evidence, he was arrested the same month and later charged with intent to defraud a government institution.
The Sassa doctor’s swift action prevented a possible financial loss. Authorities confirmed no funds were disbursed to Gxumeka before the fraud was detected.
Case highlights need for vigilance in grant systems
Bandile Maqetuka, Eastern Cape regional executive manager for Sassa, praised the swift action of frontline staff and their diligence in detecting the scam.
“This may seem minor, but it sends a strong message,” he said. “Fraud, no matter the amount or attempt, will not be tolerated.
The collaborative work of SAPS and the Hawks is commendable in this case.”
The case underlines how fraudsters target public benefit programs and the importance of internal checks and law enforcement collaboration in protecting public funds.
