SASSA Officials – In Court for Bail

JOHANNESBURG:- Five officials of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) made their first court appearance in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on Monday, in connection with an alleged R260-million fraud scheme.

The accused, namely Phumelele Myeza (37), Paul Bones (49), Keamogetswe Irene Ledwaba (49), Siphesihle Phumzile Dlamini (30) and Phiwe Mkhuzangwe (37), face more than 1 300 charges of cybercrime, fraud and theft. citeturn0search0

The arrests took place on Friday, with Bones, Dlamini and Mkhuzangwe arrested at a Sassa branch in Johannesburg, while Ledwaba was arrested at her home in Soweto. Myeza voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Sunday. citeturn0search0

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that a sixth employee surrendered to law enforcement on Monday morning, indicating that the investigation into the alleged Sassa fraud syndicate is still ongoing. The bail application has been postponed until today, Tuesday 18 March 2025. citeturn0search0

These five officials join four others who were arrested last month on similar allegations. The previous arrests stemmed from a meticulous investigation that revealed that the suspects withdrew large amounts of cash from more than 150 fraudulent Sassa and bank cards at a Shoprite supermarket in Soweto on 4 February. citeturn0search0

In response to these incidents, the acting CEO of Sassa, Themba Matlou, announced that the agency has begun a review process of all its offices nationwide to combat fraud. It is also planned to introduce biometric verification for all social relief of emergency grant beneficiaries in the new financial year to combat fraud in the system. citeturn0search3

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development welcomed the arrests and stressed that it is important for government departments and entities to take whistleblower information seriously as part of accountability. The committee also expressed satisfaction with the swift action of the South African Police Service in arresting the officials and hoped that all law enforcement agencies in the value chain would continue in the same vein. citeturn0search6

These incidents highlight the urgent need for strengthened internal controls within Sassa, to protect the integrity of the social security system, and ensure that resources reach those who need them most.