Sassa 'has not stopped fraud'

2008-03-27 17:33

Cape Town - The new SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) has failed to put an end to social welfare grants fraud, MPs heard on Thursday.

"I'm not satisfied with the security at SASSA. A lot of fraud still exists, especially in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal," Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya told the National Assembly's social development committee.

As a result, the department had brought in the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to assist in rooting out corruption at SASSA.

"We have asked Willie Hofmeyr (SIU head) to investigate fraud at the agency," Skweyiya said.

Briefing the same committee, Sassa Internal Audit Executive Manager Thandi Sibanyoni, said police were on the verge of arresting SASSA officials suspected of defrauding the agency of R600 000.

"We have just confirmed that a transaction of R600 000 was fraudulent. Arrests will be made next week," she said.

During the presentation, it emerged that former social development department officials suspected of defrauding the system were now working for Sassa.

Employees performing core social security functions at the department were all transferred to Sassa in 2006.

Sassa CEO Fezile Makiwane said at the time the agency would not employ any of the 43 000 civil servants possibly linked to social grant fraud.

On Thursday, Skweyiya said poor vetting systems had allowed people linked to syndicates to be employed at Sassa.

"Lots of the syndicates that have been working within the department are now in Sassa," he said.

Skweyiya blamed the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) - which was responsible for vetting civil servants - for allowing suspects to cross over to Sassa.

The NIA did not do its job properly, he said.

According to documents handed out during the presentation, more than 15 000 civil servants have so far agreed to repay the department a total of R83m arising from fraudulent activities.

A further 7 000 civil servants were convicted for defrauding the department.

- SAPA