KEY POINTS
- Defence attorneys allege witness tampering after a Sassa official reportedly visited accused fraudsters in prison, as bail hearings continue for eleven suspects in the R260 million case.
- The eight former Sassa employees and three accomplices face over 1,300 charges for allegedly creating fake beneficiary profiles, with arrests beginning in February at Soweto pay points.
- While defendants maintain innocence and propose R2,000 bail, prosecutors emphasize the case’s severity as South Africa battles persistent social grant system vulnerabilities.
The bail hearing for eleven suspects accused of defrauding the South African Social Security Agency, Sassa, of over R260 million took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when defence attorneys alleged witness interference, claiming a Sassa official had visited their clients in prison.
According to the TheCitizen, the high-profile case continued at Lenasia High Court, with proceedings extended to Wednesday.
Eight former Sassa employees appeared alongside three external accomplices, all facing over 1,300 combined charges related to creating fraudulent beneficiary profiles and identity theft. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed the expanded charges, noting the massive scale of the alleged fraud operation.
Accused claim Sassa official visited them in prison
Defence counsel raised multiple objections during proceedings, first challenging the court’s jurisdiction since the alleged crimes occurred at Sassa’s Johannesburg offices. They then dropped a bombshell allegation: “The defence asks if the state is aware that some of their witnesses are interfering with the accused. They say a Sassa official visited their clients in prison yesterday to ask them to sign documents,” reported Newzroom Afrika.
Prosecutors dismissed the claims, asserting the prison visit related to internal disciplinary procedures rather than the criminal case.
They maintained the matter properly belonged in Lenasia as the initial arrests occurred in Soweto. The state also defended classifying the offenses under Schedule 5, given the amounts involved far exceeded the R100,000 threshold.
The case originated in February when authorities arrested four suspects, including an Ethiopian national, caught with 139 Sassa cards at a Soweto Shoprite. Subsequent raids netted additional agency employees, with the final suspect surrendering last week after initially evading arrest.
The accused offered bail amounts around R2,000 each, arguing they wouldn’t interfere with investigations. However, prosecutors highlighted the seriousness of charges involving systematic theft from South Africa’s social grant system, which supports millions of vulnerable citizens.
With the hearing continuing Wednesday, the case has drawn intense public scrutiny as authorities attempt to curb widespread social grant fraud. Sassa recently implemented new controls but still reported R1 million in wasteful expenditures, underscoring ongoing challenges in administering South Africa’s critical social safety net.
