The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has commended whistleblowers for exposing corruption within the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

Following tips from whistleblowers, four SASSA officials were arrested at the Johannesburg local office on March 14, 2025. This arrest follows the earlier detention of three SASSA officials at the Idutywa local office in the Eastern Cape earlier in March.

IOL previously reported that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) brought more serious charges against five SASSA officials implicated in a R260 million grant scheme.

After their arrest on Friday, the accused made their first appearance in the Lenasia Magistrate's Court on Monday, where their charges were escalated to over 1,300 counts of cybercrime, fraud, and theft.

The officials facing these charges include Phumelele Myeza, 37, Paul Bones, 49, Keamogetswe Irene Ledwaba, 49, Siphesihle Phumzile Dlamini, 30, and Phiwe Mkhuzangwe, 37. Bones, Dlamini, and Mkhuzangwe were arrested at a SASSA branch in Johannesburg, while Ledwaba was apprehended at her residence in Soweto. Myeza voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Sunday.

Phindi Mjonondwane, NPA spokesperson, confirmed that a sixth employee surrendered to law enforcement on Monday morning, indicating that the investigation into the alleged SASSA fraud syndicate is ongoing.

The committee emphasised that SASSA’s collaboration with law enforcement in tackling fraud and corruption sends a clear message of zero tolerance for malfeasance.

"When corruption is allowed to thrive in institutions that provide important social welfare services such as SASSA, it is the vulnerable beneficiaries who suffer the most," said Committee chairperson Bridget Masango.

Masango said the committee also highlighted the vital role of whistleblowing in combating corruption.

"Whistleblowing is a necessary and strategic tool to curb corruption, and acting on tip-offs encourages whistleblowers to report more fraud and corruption cases," Masango said .

She further noted that the decisive actions taken by SASSA are seen as a positive step in stimulating further whistleblowing and reducing fraudulent practices within the agency.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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