News24 reports that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has levelled a whopping 1,112 charges against five SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) officials accused of defrauding the agency in a grant card scam.
The five – Phumelele Myeza, 37, Paul Bones, 49, Keamogetswe Irene Ledwaba, 49, Siphesihle Phumzile Dlamini, 30, and Phiwe Mkhuzangwe, 37 – were arrested over the weekend and made their first appearance in the Lenasia Magistrate's Court on Monday. The five were arrested initially on 54 counts of fraud. They were visibly shocked when 1,112 charges were brought against them on Monday. Bones, Dlamini, and Mkhuzangwe were apprehended at a Sassa branch in Johannesburg, where they are employed, while Ledwaba was arrested at her home in Soweto. Myeza turned herself in on Sunday. A sixth employee surrendered to authorities on Monday morning. The five who appeared on Monday will join four other Sassa employees arrested last month in connection with the same case. It is alleged that the suspects created fake Sassa accounts and withdrew money using those cards from various supermarkets across Gauteng. The matter was postponed until Tuesday. NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said: "We are broadening our investigation into this Sassa syndicate. We hope more suspects will soon join the nine we have in custody. The investigation is still in its early stages.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
- Read too, More charges added as Sassa officials face over 1,300 counts in R260 million fraud scheme, at IOL News
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/news/2025-03-14-woolworths-bites-dust-at-ccma-after-dismissing-employee-for-not-disclosing-relationship-with-colleague/