A joint
operation by the Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of
the Hawks, together with the South African Post Office (SAPO) as well as the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA), has led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 32 and
45, on allegations of fraud.
The arrests
were made yesterday, June 29.
The two suspects
are former employees of South African Post Office based in Butterworth who
worked as tellers, where they were responsible for making South African Social
Security Agency (SASSA) payments at Cash Pay Points.
“During the
period between September 2020 and April 2022, both suspects allegedly colluded
in common purpose to unlawfully and intentionally flout social grant payment
procedure and diverted the transections into their pockets.
“It is
further alleged that the suspects prejudiced SASSA an amount of over R4.1
million for their personal benefit. The matter was then reported to the Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks for probing, which
resulted in their arrest,” said Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe
Mhlakuvana.
The suspects
were due to make their first appearance at Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime
Court today, June 30.
“The provincial
Hawks head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, once more applauded all role
players involved for the successful joint operation and for the excellent job
in eradicating criminal elements by rooting out those stealing from the poor,”
concluded Mhlakuvana.
