SASSA Fraud: 14 Officials Dismissed in EC
SASSA Fraud: 14 Officials Dismissed in EC. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Eastern Cape has intensified its fight against fraud and corruption, taking decisive disciplinary and legal action against officials implicated in the abuse of the social grants system.
According to SASSA Eastern Cape spokesperson Tabisa Nondwayi, the agency has dismissed 14 officials in the province during the current financial year for fraud, corruption and related misconduct. A further 11 officials are currently facing disciplinary hearings at various stages of the process.
Nondwayi confirmed that all the identified cases have been referred to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for criminal investigation. In addition, SASSA has applied for preservation orders in an effort to recover approximately R3 million in public funds that were allegedly misappropriated.
SASSA Fraud: 14 Officials Dismissed in EC
Investigations by the agency have uncovered internal fraud spanning several local SASSA offices across the Eastern Cape, including:
- Komani
- Mdantsane
- Idutywa
- Libonde
- Mount Ayliff
- Duncan Village
- Zwide
- eQonce
Nondwayi said the cases identified involve the fraudulent approval of social grants, unlawful changes to beneficiaries’ bank account details, and other irregular practices in the administration of grants.
Theft From the Poorest and Most Vulnerable
SASSA Eastern Cape Regional Manager, Mr Bandile Maqetuka, condemned the conduct of the implicated officials, describing every act of fraud committed against the agency as a direct theft from the people who depend on it most.
“Every act of fraud committed against SASSA is an act of theft from the poorest and most vulnerable members of society, as it is a lifeline for millions of South Africans,” Maqetuka said.
He emphasised that the agency regards the protection of public funds as both a legal and ethical duty.
“We have both a constitutional and moral obligation to protect every cent entrusted to the Agency. We will not hesitate to take decisive disciplinary and criminal action against any official who abuses their position for personal gain,” he said.
Maqetuka added that SASSA’s stance on internal corruption remains firm and non-negotiable.
“Our message is unequivocal: corruption has no place in SASSA, and anyone found guilty of defrauding the Agency will face the full might of the law.”
A Broader Crackdown
The Eastern Cape dismissals form part of a wider national effort by SASSA to root out corruption within its ranks and safeguard the integrity of the social grants system, which millions of South Africans rely on every month. With criminal referrals to SAPS and preservation orders already underway, the agency says it remains committed to holding officials accountable and recovering funds lost to fraudulent activity.
