Four officials from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Eastern Cape appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Gqeberha on Friday in connection with fraud charges amounting to R5.7 million.
The 44-year-old Senior administrator Philani Kwatsha from Keiskammahoek appeared alongside his co-accused, 48-year-old Vunyiwe Toto from Cradock and the 46-year-old Mziwamidida Ngqoqo and the 40-year-old Zuvukile Qaleta, both from Graaff- Reinet.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said SASSA officials capturing and approving grant payments in March 2019 noted that a total of 1216 grant payments were made to the beneficiaries to a total cash value of more than R5.7 million on the same day.
She said after suspicions were raised the payments were frozen and a case opened with the Hawks for investigation.
Mgolodela said the accused allegedly had an accomplice from Durban who recruited more than 400 poverty-stricken people throughout the country to open bank accounts and to leave their particulars including bankcards with them on the promise of employment.
She said freezing the payments saved the Department of Social Development more than R5.7m, however, the Department had to fork out more than R100 000 “as the rightful beneficiaries had to be issued with vouchers to sustain during the period.”
All four suspects were granted bail of R2 000 each and the case was postponed to the 15th of November.
From Left to Right: Philani Kwatsha (44); Mzuvukile Qaleta (40); Mzwamadoda Ngoqo; Vunyiwe Toto (48)
