Former SA Post Office manager nabbed for R1.2m Sassa fraud

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Unit has confirmed that it has arrested a former branch manager of the Post Office in Delareyville for an alleged fraud of over R1.2 million.

According to a police report, the investigation revealed that between 2020 and 2022, the 37-year-old suspect allegedly gained access into the post office payment system as well as the payment system for the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraudulently.

Police spokesperson, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso, the suspect reportedly pretended to be processing payments and transfers on behalf of clients and beneficiaries of both the Post Office and Sassa.

“Meanwhile, she would allegedly transfer a portion or at times all the money from various accounts into two of her Post Office accounts.

“The suspect is expected to make her first appearance in the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 28 April 2023, where she will face charges of fraud and money laundering,” he said.

ALSO READ: Post Office provisionally liquidated again

Common occurrence

In May last year, a post office employee named Thandeka Dibakwane and her accomplice, Lizzy Precious Smangele Nyathi, were also arrested in connection with fraud.

According to News24, they allegedly withdrew R17 500 in funds meant for Sassa grant beneficiaries and kept it for themselves.

They appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, and were released on R20 000 bail.

ALSO READ: Sassa making backup grants plan after Post Office’s provisional liquidation

In September 2022, two former workers of the South African Post Office and their significant others were apprehended over accusations of misappropriation, money laundering, and embezzlement of R10 million from the Post Office.

Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said: “The Post Office officials created ghost beneficiaries, created fictitious claims and made deliberate information omissions and siphoned cash which was meant to pay Sassa beneficiaries”.

She confirmed that the four were each granted bail of R3 000 in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.