By Mapaballo Borotho
- Four SASSA officials have been arrested in connection with an alleged R4.9 million social grant fraud scheme.
- The suspects are accused of unlawfully processing and approving grants and have appeared in the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court.
- SASSA says it has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and that those responsible wills face criminal and disciplinary action.
Four officials from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have been arrested in connection with an alleged R4.9 million social grant fraud scheme.
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, following an extensive investigation into the unlawful processing and approval of social grants.
SASSA’s Acting Regional Executive Manager in Gauteng, Godfrey Mohlamonyane, confirmed that one suspect was apprehended at a workshop in Heidelberg, while the remaining three, two current SASSA officials and one former official were arrested in Soshanguve.
The group appeared before the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
Mohlamonyane said SASSA maintains a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption.
“Any official who abuses their position to defraud the Agency not only undermines public trust but also deprives deserving beneficiaries of critical social assistance. Such conduct will be met with the full might of the law, including criminal prosecution and internal disciplinary processes,” he said.
He added that safeguarding public funds remains a top priority for the agency and expressed hope that the arrests would serve as a strong deterrent to others who may contemplate similar misconduct.
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