SASSA officials arrested in Johannesburg for alleged R260 million fraud involving ghost Cards
SASSA Officials Arrested in Johannesburg for Alleged R260 Million Fraud Involving Ghost Cards
On Friday, March 14, 2025, three employees of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) were arrested at their offices on De Villiers Street in Johannesburg’s Central Business District. The arrests are part of an investigation into a fraud scheme involving fake SASSA cards, known as “ghost cards,” which has reportedly led to the theft of over R260 million from social grant beneficiaries.
The operation follows the arrest of four suspects in February, including two women and an Ethiopian national, who were caught using 139 fraudulent SASSA cards to withdraw funds at a Shoprite store in Soweto. Subsequent investigations linked these individuals to SASSA employees at the Johannesburg office.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo stated that authorities are seeking seven SASSA officials, including the office manager, in connection with the scam. As of now, only three have been apprehended, while the others are reportedly on leave, raising concerns about the extent of the fraud network. Masondo indicated that the arrested individuals are believed to be part of a larger syndicate.
The exact amount stolen remains under investigation, but reports suggest that over R260 million has been misappropriated through the use of ghost SASSA cards.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges within SASSA regarding internal fraud and the exploitation of the social grant system, highlighting the need for strengthened oversight and security measures to protect vulnerable beneficiaries.
