Jumping the gun: The bail bid of one of the 11 accused in the multimillion-rand Sassa fraud case has been dismissed by the high court.
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed the urgent bail application of Phumelele Myeza, one of the accused in the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraud case, on Thursday, 22 May.
The judgment comes after the defence approached the high court for the accused to be released on bail, arguing that the postponement period set by the Lenasia magistrate’s court was excessively long and therefore irregular.
Myeza and her 10 co-accused—who include eight Sassa officials—have a pending and uncompleted bail application before the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court. They face more than 1,000 charges ranging from cybercrime to fraud to identity theft.
Sassa fraud case: ‘Complex scheme’ of fake beneficiary profiles
The state alleges that the accused orchestrated a complex scheme involving the creation of fake Sassa profiles, into which more than R4 million was deposited.
They then allegedly used these profiles to withdraw large sums of money from various Sassa pay points.
ALSO READ: Sassa millions ‘heist’ in Rosebank underground car park
Multiple postponements
The case, which first made headlines in 2024, has faced multiple postponements.
“The court is expected to continue with the 11 accused’s bail applications on 10 and 11 June 2025 and may set a trial date as the National Prosecuting Authority prepares to present key witness testimony,” stated NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane after the group’s last appearance on 29 April 2025.
Witness interference?
The defence attorneys representing the Sassa employees alleged potential witness interference during the bail hearing, claiming a Sassa official had visited their clients in prison to ask them to sign documents.
State prosecutors, however, dismissed the allegations of witness interference, stating that the prison visit by Sassa officials was related to internal disciplinary processes rather than the criminal case.
‘Complex scheme of fake Sassa profiles’
The state alleges that the accused orchestrated a complex scheme involving the creation of fake Sassa profiles, into which more than R4 million was deposited.
They then allegedly used these profiles to withdraw large sums of money from various Sassa pay points.
ALSO READ: Sassa grant: June payment dates and claims of ‘double pay’
‘No irregularities’: Lack of evidence in Sassa fraud accused’s bail bid
In opposing Myeza’s bail bid on Thursday, Senior State Advocate Matshediso Phatlanyane emphasised that the accused prematurely approached the high court since the decision of the magistrate is pending.
She further stated that there were no irregularities upon which the high court could interfere.
Phatlanyane pointed out that the magistrate requested further evidence to be presented for her to make a decision.
This because – according to the state advocate – there was insufficient evidence before the high court for it to arrive at a decision.
The court concurred with the state, ruling that the applicant had not provided enough evidence for the high court to grant her bail, especially with a pending application in a lower court.
