The bail application of 11 people arrested for allegedly defrauding the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will on Wednesday continued before the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court in Joburg.
The 11, who include eight Sassa officials, are charged in connection with a R260 million Sassa card fraud scheme. They allegedly defrauded the social grant payment agency of money meant to support South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens.
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The prosecution opposed bail on the grounds they were a flight risk and would interfere with witnesses. This is after one state witness claimed to be receiving death threats. Their legal team, Larry Marks said the state’s argument was “speculative” and not based on facts.
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Among the accused are former senior managers within SASSA, who allegedly exploited their positions to divert funds into ghost accounts. The accused face more than 1000 counts of cybercrime, fraud, and theft. It’s alleged they created fake profiles and committed identity fraud in order to withdraw funds from SASSA pay points. First making headlined in 2024, the case has faced multiple postponements. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is now ready to present critical witness testimony.
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Cece Smith 