By Staff Reporter
NKOWANKOWA -Two (2) former South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials and nine (9) accomplices between the ages of 38 and 61 who arrested for alleged fraud following a two-day sting operation in the Tzaneen area on 13 and 14 September 2023 will be kept in jail until their bail application.
This was heard when the two suspects, aged 53 and 61, appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrates Court in Tzaneen on Friday, September 15.
The accused former Nkowankowa Sassa clerks Stanley Harry Banda (61) and Evelyn Fanisa Mhlari (53) appeared alongside their nine co-accused: Mathapo Rosina Pudikabekwa (46), Matome Jack Mashaphu (49),Mantsi Merrium Maponya (38), Rosina Mogonong (46),Madintsi Emmah Malematja (56),Nwantsavuri Eunice Baloyi (51),Sebolane Unice Modiba(62),Julia Unice Pilusa (47) and Dinah Magret Mayike(57)
In 2018, the two former SASSA officials in their capacities as Administration Clerks allegedly recruited members of the public to apply for disability grants although they were not disabled.
After their applications were successfully processed, the first few payments to unlawful beneficiaries were given to the former officials as gratification. Then the unlawful beneficiaries continued receiving the grants until it was discovered by the SASSA authorities who reported the matter to the Hawks.
The Department suffered a loss of over two hundred thousand rand due to these illegal activities.
The two former officials were previously arrested by the same team in February 2021 for similar offences and released on bail. Whilst out on bail and the investigation was continuing, it was discovered that the suspects committed other similar offences.
The accused will appear at Tzaneen Magistrate Court on September 18 for bail application.
Six of the suspects opted to use free government legal Aid representation as the others have private lawyers.
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