Question NW219 to the Minister of Social Development
28 February 2022 - NW219
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What are the reasons that (a) the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) is still conducting business with a certain company (name furnished), which was implicated in fraud at the Special Investigating Unit in SASSA and (b) a certain SASSA senior official (name furnished) has not been held to account?
Reply:
a) SASSA has a cleaning contract with the company in question which was awarded in April 2022. This contract was not part of the SIU investigation. The contract that the Honourable Member is referring to in which the company was implicated in fraudulent activity relates to the procurement of food parcels under the state of national disaster. The final SIU investigation report became available early this year. The SIU will institute civil proceedings against this company in respect of the food distribution contract.
An investigation was conducted internally against the official and when no evidence of wrong doing was found, the matter was referred to the HAWKS for further investigation. The outcome of the investigation will determine the disciplinary action, including the current contract.