Department is yielding results in the Western Cape
23 February, 2006
The Department of Social Developmentâs campaign to clamp down on fraudulent
activities within its social grants and pension system is yielding positive
results. The call by the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, to
rid the social grant system of unlawful transactions has not gone unheard.
Provinces are vigorously investigating fraudulent activity within SOCPEN to
flesh out the unlawful beneficiaries.
Investigations in the Western Cape Province have already resulted in the
appearance of 92 officials for illegally receiving grants valued at R315 074.
These are funds set aside for the neediest in our country. The 92 officials
have not only defrauded government, they have taken money from the neediest to
benefit themselves. As a direct result of the investigations, the Athlone
Magistrates Court convicted and sentenced 83 of these officials. The
Departmentâs attempts to recover the funds resulted in 86 acknowledgements of
debts signed to the value of R280 779. In addition, the names of these 92
officials have been removed from the system, which will result in a future
saving of R1 836 000 for the Department. These funds will be available in
future to service only the legitimate and neediest beneficiaries.
The Department acknowledges that continued efforts are required to obtain
success. This entails ongoing investigation that lead to further court
appearances. On 24 February 2006, an additional 15 officials will appear before
court in Athlone for illegally receiving social grants to the value of R78
785.96. The Department proudly announces that is has reclaimed these funds
through a recovery process. The grants largely affected by the 15 officials are
child support and disability grants.
The achievement of the campaign is due to a collaborative effort between the
anti-corruption partners in the region. The partnership includes the national
Department of Social Development and the provincial Department in the Western
Cape, South African Police Service Commercial Crime Unit, the Forensic Audit
Directorate in the Western Cape and the Special Investigating Unit.
Enquiries:
Lakela Kaunda
Tel: (012) 312 7653/4
Cell: 082 782 2575
Trinesha Naidoo
Special Investigating Unit
Cell: 084 400 6721
Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
23 February 2006
