Key Points
- Authorities filed over 1,300 charges against five Sassa officials.
- Investigators expect more arrests as the case progresses.
- The NPA plans to oppose the accused’s bail application.
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) officials involved in a R260 million fraud scheme now face over 1,300 charges. These charges include cybercrime, fraud, and theft.
As a result of their arrests, the charges escalated, and the officials appeared in Lenasia Magistrate’s Court earlier this week.
Five Sassa employees accused of fraud
Phumelele Myeza, Paul Bones, Keamogetswe Irene Ledwaba, Siphesihle Phumzile Dlamini, and Phiwe Mkhuzangwe now face serious charges.
Authorities arrested Bones, Dlamini, and Mkhuzangwe on Friday at a Sassa branch in Johannesburg. In addition, Ledwaba was arrested at her home in Soweto, while Myeza voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Sunday.
Investigation into Sassa fraud continues
The investigation into the Sassa fraud case continues to unfold. Notably, a sixth employee surrendered to law enforcement on Monday, indicating the investigation is far from over.
Authorities expect more arrests as they uncover more details about the fraudulent scheme. The suspects allegedly created fake Sassa accounts, enabling them to withdraw illicit funds from supermarkets across Gauteng.
The NPA has confirmed they will oppose bail applications, scheduled for March 18, 2025. These arrests stemmed from a thorough investigation, which revealed the suspects’ fraudulent activities.
