Of the 113 employees accused of fraud and corruption, more than a third (40) were in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The Department of Social Development has again lifted the lid on corruption within the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
Responding to EFF MP Paulnita Marais’ recent Parliamentary question on fraud within the agency, the department confirmed that 113 employees had been implicated in wrongdoing since 2022.
Of the 113, more than a third (40) were in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The province listed 24 accused in the 2023/2024 financial year and 14 in the last, more than any other province during these period.
Here is a breakdown of employees accused of fraud and corruption:
Eye on the corrupt
Corruption and incompetence allegations have plagued the agency for decades, including the recent discovery of alleged fraud on thousands of Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants.
The department blamed the alleged fraud on fake websites and security weaknesses.
ALSO READ: Fake websites and security weaknesses blamed for fraudulent SRD grants
11 people, including Sassa employees, have also appeared in court this year. They are accused of creating fake profiles to redirect money meant for legitimate beneficiaries, totalling R260 million.
But Social Development says it has a robust system to monitor those suspected of crooking the system.
“Sassa has an electronic Fraud and Corruption Case Management System, and the investigation project monitoring tool and/or a register to monitor all the ongoing investigation projects, with some involving the syndicates.
“The cases of fraud and corruption are, therefore, sufficiently recorded on the registers and monitored. We further account for those cases at several governance structures, both internal and external.”
The department explained that Sassa places accused officials on precautionary suspension with full pay if:
- The member is alleged to have committed a serious offence; and
- The employer believes that the presence of a member at workplace might jeopardise any investigation into the alleged misconduct or endanger the well-being or safety of any person or state property.
“Precautionary suspension must be with full pay for a period of 60 days, then the chairperson of the enquiry may extend suspension.”
ALSO READ: Defrauded Sassa grant recipients to be refunded
Vetting
It added that Sassa conducts pre-employment screening and vetting before appointing a new employee.
“This prohibits those with criminal records from being reappointed to government. The alleged colluders with the SASSA official will also be criminally charged for corruption and Perjury in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activity Act, 12 of 2004.”
An agency in crisis
The DA has slammed the agency, highlighting its alleged incompetence and demanding accountability.
“SASSA continues to navigate crisis after crisis while vulnerable South Africans fall through the cracks.
