LIMPOPO – The South African Social Security Agency has fired four officials from its Nebo Local Office in Sekhukhune for their role in a R33 million social grants fraud scheme.

An internal investigation revealed the officials manipulated the social grants system in collaboration with external syndicates, SASSA said in a statement today.

The four employees were dismissed following disciplinary proceedings. They appealed, but SASSA’s Appeals Committee upheld the decision, citing the severity of the misconduct and the need to protect public resources.

Regional Executive Manager Mapupula Pheeha said the fraud undermines public trust and deprives vulnerable communities of support.

“Fraudulent activities undermine the trust placed in SASSA and deprive vulnerable communities of much-needed support. We will continue to act decisively against any employee found guilty of misconduct,” Pheeha said.

SASSA said it maintains a zero-tolerance stance on fraud and corruption and is strengthening measures to prevent similar incidents.

These include enhanced monitoring, stricter internal controls and ongoing staff ethics training to protect the integrity of the social grants system.

The agency said the dismissals demonstrate its commitment to rooting out corruption and protecting public funds intended for South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens.

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