Question NW140 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
11 March 2024 - NW140
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)With reference to her reply to question 3197 on 29 December 2023, what progress has been made regarding consequence management of the (a) 5 812 public servants who fraudulently received Social Relief of Distress grants and (b) 33 833 public servants who fraudulently received other social grants; (2) whether (a) her department and (b) the SA Social Security Agency launched an investigation to determine whether the wrongful payments form part of a scheme to defraud the State; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) The following progress has been made regarding consequence management of:
(a) 5 812 public servants who fraudulently received Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants: In September 2022, Ms BJ Memela, the Chief Executive Officer of the SA Social Security Agency issued letters to Government Departments at National and Provincial levels advising them of the identification of civil servants on the Covid 19 SRD database and requested that consequence management be undertaken by those Government Departments.
|
No |
Date of signing letter |
Name of Department |
Annexure |
|
1 |
26/09/2022 |
Department of Basic Education |
A |
|
2 |
28/09/2022 |
Deed Office |
B |
|
3 |
26/09/2022 |
Department of Labour |
C |
|
4 |
26/09/2022 |
Department of Justice |
D |
|
5 |
09/11/2022 |
Department of Social Development |
E |
|
6 |
26/09/2022 |
Limpopo Provincial Department of Health |
F |
|
7 |
29/09/2022 |
South African Police Service |
G |
|
8 |
28/09/2022 |
Correctional Services |
H |
The indicated Departments are to be approached by SA Social Security Agency to establish progress with the execution of consequence management.
(b) 33 833 public servants who fraudulently received other social grants: This information is to be obtained from the SA Social Security Agency (Fraud and Compliance Department).
(2) Regarding investigations the following:
(a) The DPSA did not launch an investigation to determine whether the wrongful payments form part of a scheme to defraud the State, as the DPSA does not have a legal mandate to perform investigations.
(b) SA Social Security Agency launched an investigation. The details of the investigation are reflected under (1)(a) and is to be provided for (b).
End