Whistleblowers Praised as SASSA Corruption Crackdown Leads to More Arrests

The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has applauded whistleblowers for exposing corruption within the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), leading to multiple arrests.

On March 14, 2025, four SASSA officials were arrested at the Johannesburg local office, following tip-offs from whistleblowers. This comes after three other officials were detained in the Eastern Cape earlier in March as part of an ongoing investigation into fraudulent activities within the agency.

Over 1,300 Charges for SASSA Officials

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has escalated charges against five SASSA officials linked to a R260 million grant fraud scheme. They now face over 1,300 counts of cybercrime, fraud, and theft.

The accused include:

• Phumelele Myeza (37)
• Paul Bones (49)
• Keamogetswe Irene Ledwaba (49)
• Siphesihle Phumzile Dlamini (30)
• Phiwe Mkhuzangwe (37)

Bones, Dlamini, and Mkhuzangwe were arrested at a SASSA branch in Johannesburg, while Ledwaba was taken into custody at her Soweto home. Myeza later surrendered voluntarily.

Phindi Mjonondwane, the NPA spokesperson, confirmed that a sixth suspect turned themselves in on Monday, suggesting that more arrests may follow as the investigation continues.

Committee Applauds Whistleblowers and Anti-Corruption Efforts

The Portfolio Committee emphasised that SASSA’s collaboration with law enforcement is sending a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated.

Committee chairperson Bridget Masango stated:
“When corruption is allowed to thrive in institutions that provide important social welfare services such as SASSA, it is the vulnerable beneficiaries who suffer the most.”

Masango also highlighted the critical role of whistleblowers in exposing fraud and called for stronger protections to encourage more people to step forward.

“Whistleblowing is a necessary and strategic tool to curb corruption, and acting on tip-offs encourages whistleblowers to report more fraud and corruption cases,” she added.

With the investigation still unfolding, authorities remain committed to rooting out corruption and ensuring that SASSA’s services reach those who need them most.

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