Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe confirmed that the department has been granted additional time to complete an investigation into alleged fraud in the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant payment system.
Addressing members of the media at a briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday, Minister Tolashe provided updates on the findings of an independent investigation conducted by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) into irregularities within the SRD grant system.
The investigation gained momentum in October, when two first-year Stellenbosch University students presented their findings to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development. The students uncovered fraudulent activities involving the misuse of citizens' identity numbers to apply for SRD grants.
The fraudsters allegedly used these stolen ID numbers to claim funds, diverting them into bank accounts registered under the same stolen identities. This scam, they argued, potentially prevented legitimate applicants from receiving much-needed government assistance.
Following these revelations, Minister Tolashe and the Portfolio Committee requested a 30-day period to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. The request was approved, and an independent service provider was engaged to support the inquiry.
With the investigation ongoing, the department has now been granted additional time to uncover the full extent of the fraud.
Extent of Financial Loss Still Unclear
During the briefing, Minister Tolashe admitted that an exact figure for the amount lost to fraudulent claims remains unavailable due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. However, she reassured the public that only deserving individuals will continue to receive SRD grant payments.
The Minister sought to address concerns among citizens who fear their identity numbers may have been used unlawfully.
We will make sure that no money goes to the wrong people
Minister Tolashe said that if evidence confirms the misuse of innocent individuals’ identity numbers to claim government grants, the Department of Social Development (DSD) will take decisive action to address the issue.
We will employ all the ways and means to make sure we get all that money back
Plans to Strengthen Systems
Acknowledging vulnerabilities in the grant payment systems, the Minister commended Sassa’s ongoing efforts to provide critical relief to vulnerable South Africans. She also highlighted plans to integrate advanced technologies to strengthen the agency’s systems and prevent similar issues in the future.
As technology evolves rapidly, it is crucial for any organisation to stay abreast of advancements, continuously monitor risks, and adapt to ensure not only compliance but also excellence in using technology to drive and implement new solutions
