Two former Post Office employees have been arrested by the Hawks in the Eastern Cape for allegedly stealing Sassa grant money meant for beneficiaries. The suspects aged 32 and 45 respectively, allegedly stole R4.1 million in cash. 

MONEY HANDLERS

Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the two suspects were responsible for making cash payments to grant beneficiaries. "It is reported that both suspects were responsible for making South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) payments at Cash Pay Point. During the period between September 2020 and April 2022 both suspects allegedly colluded in common purpose to unlawfully and intentionally flout the social grant payment procedure and diverted the transactions into their pockets," she said.

THEY WENT TOO FAR

Mhlakuvana said it is further alleged that the suspects robbed Sassa of an amount of over R4.1 million for their personal benefit. She said the matter was reported to the Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks for probing, which resulted in their arrest. "They are expected to make their first appearance in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court soon. The Provincial head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya applauded all role players which included the NPA, the Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and Priority Crime Serious Investigation team of the Hawks, in eradicating criminal elements by rooting out those stealing from the poor."