Question NW2600 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
07 January 2022 - NW2600
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What is the total number of (a) cases of abuse of the SA Social Security Agency Child Support Grant that have been referred for trial in each province since 1 January 2015 and (b) convictions regarding the specified offence in the specified period in each province;
Reply:
Although the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has conducted prosecutions of various cases relating to South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants, it is only Gauteng (South Gauteng/Johannesburg), Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape (Mthatha) that have dealt with cases relating to the abuse of the SASSA Child Support Grants since January 2015.
|
(1) (a) Number of cases referred for trial |
|
|
Eastern Cape (Mthatha) |
23 |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
22 |
|
Gauteng (Johannesburg) |
2 |
|
(b) Number of convictions regarding specified offences |
|
|
Eastern Cape (Mthatha) |
19 |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
4 |
|
Gauteng (Johannesburg) |
0 |
|
(2) Penalties attached to convictions attained |
|
|
Mthatha |
The various accused persons were convicted of contravening the provisions of the Transkei Penal Code, relating to fraudulent and/ or theft of child support grant. Sentences imposed range as follows: Direct terms of imprisonment (6 years and 8 years direct imprisonment terms); Wholly suspended sentences, whereby the Courts in some cases ordered the accused to pay back amounts defrauded/ stolen; term of imprisonment in terms of section 276 1(i) of CPA (correctional supervision); term of imprisonment with an option to compensate the complainant. |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
The various accused were convicted of fraud. |
|
(2) Penalties attached to convictions attained |
|
|
Sentences imposed were direct terms of imprisonment (3 years and 5 years direct imprisonment terms) |
|
|
Gauteng (Johannesburg) |
The cases have not yet been finalised in court |
|
(3) Total number of cases currently in court |
|
|
Mthatha |
4 |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
15 |
|
Gauteng (Johannesburg) |
1 It should be noted that charges were provisionally withdrawn in respect of the second matter, pending finalisation of criminal investigations. |