Question NW2644 to the Minister of Social Development
04 October 2023 - NW2644
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) total amount has been lost by the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the past two years due to fraudulent activities where officials of SASSA were involved, (b) amount has been recovered to date and (c) consequence management steps were instituted against the officials who were involved?
Reply:
a) For the period under review, approximately 701 suspected cases of fraud cases were detected, investigated, involving 40 SASSA who were implicated to the potential loss of R50 515 541.34. It is important to note that this figure represents a cumulative potential loss documented for the said period involving various other parties not limited to SASSA officials.
These cases ranged from fraudulent collection of grant funds intended for deceased individuals, the submission of disability grant applications with falsified medical information, and the illicit collection of child support grants.
Of the total suspected cases of fraud detected for the period in question, 698 were finalised while 3 are still under investigation. A total of 37 cases were referred to law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation and prosecution.
The notable surge in detection of fraudulent cases can be attributed to SASSA’s anti-corruption strategy.
b) Disciplinary processes in the public service are guided by Chapter 7 of the SMS Handbook (March 2021) as well as the Disciplinary Code (Resolution 1 of 2003). Several sanctions may be issued such as warning letters, suspension, demotion etc. However; the regulations preclude financial recovery of a loss which occurred as a result of fraud that may have arisen through the conduct of the official.
c) The table below provides information on consequence management:
|
REGION |
NUMBER OF CASES |
CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMEMENT MEASURES IMPLEMENTED AGAINST IMPLICATED OFFICIALS AND SANCTIONS |
|
Eastern Cape |
19 |
4 x Withdrawn 3 x Pending 1 x Not Guilty 1 x Demotion + Final Written Warning 2 x Suspension without pay + Final Written Warning 8 x Written Warning |
|
Free State |
3 |
2 x Pending 1 x Written Warning + Referral to Employee Assistance Programme |
|
Gauteng |
3 |
2 x Dismissal 1 x Written Warning (Informal discipline) |
|
KwaZulu Natal |
15 |
10 x Pending 2 x Final Written Warning 1 x Dismissal 1 x Written Warning 1 x Not Guilty |
|
Limpopo |
10 |
1 x Withdrawn 5 x Suspension without pay + Final Written Warning 1 x Dismissal 1 x Demotion + Final Written Warning 1 x Not Guilty 1 x Resigned |
|
Mpumalanga |
17 |
1 x Written warning 9 x Final Written Warning 7x pending |
|
North West |
5 |
1 x Withdrawn 1 x Written Warning 2 x Financial Written Warning + Counseling 1 x Suspension without pay + Final Written Warning |
|
Northern Cape |
2 |
2 x Suspension without pay + Final Written Warning |
|
Western Cape |
10 |
1 x Written Warning 9 x Pending |
Disciplinary actions were instituted against 74 officials, and 10 officials. Sanctions vary from written warning to dismissal. A total number of 62 cases have been finalised and 22 are in progress. It should also be noted that some fraud cases are being investigated or handled by external or third parties like SIU, Public Protector, National Treasury and SAPS.