Women who allegedly stole money meant for SASSA beneficiaries out on R20k bail each

A former post office teller and her co-accused were granted bail by the Busbucksridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 26 May, following their arrest by the Hawks earlier this week for fraud, theft and conspiracy to commit fraud.

HAWKS NAB SASSA FRAUDSTERS

Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said Thandeka Dibakwane, 43, and Lizzy Precious Smangele Nyathi, 42, are part of a group of four women, including the Shatale Post Office branch manager that engaged in manipulating the SASSA system.

“The manager allegedly colluded with the post office tellers who would delay the issuing of the original cards to the lawful owners and give the cards to the runner who is a private person,” said Sekgotodi.

Nyathi would allegedly visit different ATMs with the SASSA cards and withdraw cash that everyone in the group shared.

The State was defrauded of approximately R17 5000.

The arrested pair were nabbed by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Unit after an internal investigation was launched.

Dibakwane and Nyathi were granted R20 000 bail by the court and their next appearance is expected on 21 June.

The postponement was granted as the arrest of the remaining suspects is imminent.

“As the Hawks, we shall leave no stone unturned,” said the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena  

Mokoena encouraged the public to make constant follow-ups after applying for social grants.

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