An official from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) joined four business people in the East London Magistrates Court as they face charges of fraud.
SASSA paid companies for unfinished work
It is alleged that the SASSA official, Lungiswa Shirley Kate Roji, paid the invoices from two companies even though the work was never done. Each invoice amounted to more than R500 000.
The two companies are SUV & Spoki Trading cc, and A&V Holdings (Pty) Ltd. The former is represented by Mzamo Anderson Pono, and the latter by Mthuthuzeli Aubrey Gqezengele. The other two accomplices in the fraud case are Noxolo Pono and Vusumzi Gofrey Rapiya.
An intensive investigation was conducted
According to The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), an intensive investigation stood place that was conducted by the SIU, the Hawks and the South African Social Security Agency. The investigation was conducted after the prosecution of the four businessmen.
It seems that the four fraudsters colluded with the project manager for the Local Office Improvement Project (LOIP) whilst in the process of planning and construction of the KwaNobuhle SASSA Office in the Eastern Cape.
“The investigation focused on the fleet management of the SASSA within the Eastern Cape Region; fuel fleet card management of the SASSA within the Eastern Cape Region and KwaZulu-Natal Region; asset management of the SASSA within the Eastern Cape Region; and contract management of the SASSA in respect of persons appointed by the SASSA as Family Finders within the Limpopo Region”.
Case was postponed
The case was postponed to 6 December 2021 and bail was set at R1000 per person.
Two of the four fraudsters have signed Acknowledgement of Debt (AoD’s) with the SIU. Thus, committing to pay back the money which was fraudulently claimed and received. The signing of AOD is, however, not a substitute or immunity from criminal prosecution.
The SIU further said it was working closely with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Hawks and will continue to ensure that all role players identified through SIU investigations in the alleged crimes at the SASSA are held accountable.
Media Statement: Four arrested for R2 million SASSA fraud