The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has made gradual progress in the eradication of fraud and corruption in the social grants sector since 2012, according to chief director of in the Western Cape, Rene Ogle. Her comments mirror those of Sassa CEO, Virginia Peterson and Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, who both took the stage at the 2nd national Sassa anti-corruption conference on Sunday.

In 2012, the minister instituted a re-registration and re-enrollment process for all social grant beneficiaries, with the aim of achieving a credible database which could be used to distribute funds to grant recipients. The process also sought to weed out those taking advantage of the social grants system.

Speaking to VOC Breakfast Beat on Monday, Ogle highlighted the fact that this process was yielding major results and savings the fiscus billions through its eradication fraudulent grants.

At the same time, she also stressed that the group were still facing notable challenges in the complete elimination of corruption within the system. Amongst the single biggest challenges according to her, was a somewhat unorganized intergovernmental system between respective departments.

“Other than that we have made great strides through our collective partnerships with government, and particularly all law enforcement agencies,” she said.

Despite this, questions have been raised as to how illegally acquired funds in this regard have been recouped from the fraudulent recipients. Reports state that the department has only managed to recoup a miniscule R2.3 million of monies, with an estimated R146 million grant funds still missing.

But Ogle explained that the process was being done through the section 300 criminal procedure and asset forfeit routes, hence the slow recovery.

“One must remember that the criminal justice system is a process that takes time. We started with a focus on our employees since 2012, and we started focusing on syndicates since 2012. Three years down the line, we have recovered. Although not everything that has been lost (has been recouped), that process is ongoing,” she said, adding that they were looking at how best to improve this process.

A reported 160 arrests have been made in this regard, constituting Sassa and Cash Paymaster Service (CPS) officials, grant beneficiaries, and illegal money lenders. Sassa has suspended a further 265 officials, as well as dismissing 53. 13 Sassa officials also terminated their employment prior or during disciplinary proceedings. At present 3 convicted individuals are serving a minimum 7 years imprisonment.

“Courts are taking a tougher stance on those who defraud the social grants system. Through our collective endeavors, we have been able to expedite trials,” she stated, adding that they were making progress in this regard.

Sassa’s second anti-corruption is currently underway in Pretoria. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)