in

Businesswoman Guilty of Fraud for Claiming Sassa Pension While Profiting from Tenders

A 67-year-old Gauteng businesswoman was convicted of theft and fraud after allegedly defrauding the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).

Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney was convicted in the Pretoria North Regional Court on Wednesday. She was also convicted of perjury.

According to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Sigamoney profited from Sassa while serving as a director of a company awarded bids by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame, the tender was valued millions of rands and was for office furniture delivery.

Mamothame explained the events leading up to Sigamoney’s arrest, stating that on April 13, 2017, Sigamoney requested for an old age grant from Sassa.

“She attached a supporting affidavit wherein she stated that she has never worked for a period of 20 years.”

On April 18, 2017, Sassa gave Sigamoney with a letter of approval, which she signed as received.

“She is alleged to have received grant money from Sassa amounting to approximately R123,000 from July 2017 to July 2022.”

The IDAC stated that after charges were filed against her, Sigamoney continued to receive the funding for an additional 16 months.

According to the IDAC, Sigamoney and her son Matthew Pillay are both listed as directors of KJP Traders Pty.

KJP is said to have done business with the state as early as 2012, before applying to Sassa.

“Furthermore, the company is estimated to have cashed in approximately R88 million from the SAPS contracts, to which the last payment was in 2022.”

The case was postponed until October 31 so that the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) could file for a forfeiture order to recoup the funds lost by the State.

Mamothame stated that a sentence date would also be decided.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Former ANC Spokesperson, Pule Mabe, Arraigned for Corruption Charges Related to R27 Million Tender

Flags Lowered to Honor Former Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni