The process to convert the maintenance payment system from manual to direct electronic payments from employers to beneficiaries should be sped up to eliminate fraud, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Thursday.
Premier Modise was reacting to the alleged theft of R500 000 by three officials who were employed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development who were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Beneficiaries most of whom are in dire need of money to raise their children should not be disadvantaged by heartless and greedy officials,” Premier Modise underscored in commenting the department for dismissing the trio who were stationed at Swartruggens and are now facing criminal charges in a court of law.
Senior Legal Officer for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Bonolo Madiba confirmed that parallel investigation processes were followed towards the conclusion of departmental cases which led to the dismissal of the trio. Madiba said that appeal cases by the three officials ran their course and were also dismissed.
According to police,the trio and two alleged accomplicies were released on bail of R1 000 each when they appeared in the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Their case was postponed until February 14.
Spokesperson for the North West Police, Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said that Precious Lerato Moitlobo, Isaac Mabaso, Denis Ntshole, Lerato Ikutlweng and a fifth person, whose name he could not provide allegedly worked together to steal maintenance payments amounting to R500 000 from the department during 2010 and 2011.
He said the three officials were assigned to maintenance payments. One of their alleged accomplices worked for the health department as an emergency vehicle driver.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
