KEY POINTS
- Salamina Khoza, a 70-year-old pensioner, is set to stand trial in July for allegedly defrauding Sassa of over R100,000 while her companies secured R60 million in police tenders.
- The case highlights systemic issues of corruption and fraud in South Africa’s social grant and public procurement systems.
- Khoza’s trial is part of a broader crackdown on corruption, with similar cases, such as that of Devi Sigamoney, underscoring the need for stronger oversight and accountability.
The Pretoria North Regional Court has set a trial date for 70-year-old pensioner Salamina Khoza, who is accused of fraudulently receiving over R100,000 in old age pension payouts from the South African Social Security Agency, Sassa, while her companies secured tenders worth R60 million from the police service.
The case, which has drawn significant attention due to its implications for corruption and misuse of public funds, was postponed to July 22 for trial.
Timeslive reports that Khoza faces multiple charges, including contravention of the Social Assistance Act, fraud, theft, and perjury.
According to Investigating Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame, “Khoza allegedly received monthly old age pension payouts while her companies were awarded tenders worth R60 million by the police service between September 2014 and August 2022.”
This case highlights the intersection of social grant fraud and corruption in public procurement, raising questions about oversight mechanisms in government systems.
Khoza’s companies are also implicated in separate criminal proceedings related to alleged irregular tenders within the police service. These cases underscore the pervasive nature of corruption in South Africa’s public sector, where individuals and entities exploit loopholes for personal gain.
The broader context of Sassa fraud
Khoza’s case is not an isolated incident. Fraud within Sassa has been a recurring issue, with numerous cases of individuals illegally accessing social grants. In a similar case, 69-year-old Devi Sigamoney was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding Sassa of R135,000 while her company secured tenders worth R88 million from the police service. Sigamoney’s legal team has filed for leave to appeal, and the state has vowed to oppose the application.
Mamothame emphasized that “the state remains committed to holding individuals accountable for defrauding public funds, regardless of their age or status.” These cases are part of a broader effort by the Investigating Directorate to clamp down on corruption and ensure that public resources are used for their intended purposes.
The case has sparked public outrage, with many calling for stricter measures to prevent fraud and corruption in social grant systems and public procurement. Social grants are a lifeline for millions of vulnerable South Africans, and cases like Khoza’s undermine public trust in these systems.
The trial, set to begin in July, will be closely watched as a test of the justice system’s ability to address corruption effectively. It also highlights the need for improved oversight and accountability mechanisms to prevent similar cases in the future.
