Question NW1679 to the Minister of Social Development
12 May 2022 - NW1679
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether, in light of the fact that over the past year there have been reports linking a senior official of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) (name and details furnished) to fraudulent contracts worth R45,5 million, and considering that the 2021-22 Annual Report of her department points to the fact that her department has not done enough in playing its oversight role over SASSA, she has launched any investigations into the claims against the senior official; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I wish to advise the Honourable Member that the only SIU report that I am aware of, is the one that implicates the current SASSA CEO of alleged involvement in corrupt activities. Upon receipt of the final report, I made it available to the implicated official, the SASSA CEO to allow her an opportunity to state their cases in response to the SIU investigation and findings, as per the provision of our laws.
In addition, the Department is currently in legal consultation with the SIU and its investigators who have offered their assistance as we initiate the disciplinary process with the view to engage and implement the next steps.