R40,8bn illegally paid to public servants

Times Live reports that Dlamini said the money was lost through an estimated 145 875 child support grants that had been paid to employed public servants. The Department of Social Development has confirmed that the Special Investigating Unit found 25 555 cases of social grant fraud by public officials since the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) was established in 2005.

According to the Times Live report, he says that widespread corruption and fraud means that it is now imperative for SASSA to have its data vetted and cross-checked to make sure that grant recipients are entitled to receive the benefits paid to them.

For more:

• Times Live: Public servants siphon off R40 billion in social grants