IOL reports that the Hawks serious corruption investigation members have arrested 15 suspects aged between 28 and 58 in connection with disability grant fraud at the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa).

Spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo, Captain Matimba Maluleke, said a medical doctor allegedly connived with a Sassa official to enable people who were not disabled get disability grants. “Between June and November 2020, the Jane Furse-based medical doctor and the former social grant administrator at the Jane Furse Sassa offices who is now a ward councillor allegedly recruited members of the community to apply for a disability grant whereas they were not disabled. It is further alleged that the doctor would certify on the application forms that the applicants were disabled, and the former Sassa administrator would successfully process the applications,” Maluleke reported. Allegedly, the first payments from Sassa to the applicants would be given to the doctor and the former administrator to share, while the other payments would be for the applicants. Sassa officials received a tip-off about the fraudulent activities and reported the matter to the Hawks, who instituted an investigation. The suspects were arrested during a sting operation, charged and warned to appear in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 1 March. Other suspects yet to be arrested include another medical doctor.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at IOL

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page