The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Northern Cape has welcomed the arrest of a 61-year-old woman in Groblershoop, located within the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, who was allegedly involved in an illegal loan scheme targeting social grant beneficiaries.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the woman was arrested during a joint operation on Tuesday, 5 August 2025. She was found at an ATM in possession of multiple SASSA and bank cards, along with a large sum of cash.
Initial investigations suggest that the suspect was unlawfully holding beneficiaries' social grant cards and using them to withdraw cash from their accounts during payment periods — allegedly as repayment for illegal loans.
The woman is facing charges of fraud and contravening the National Credit Act and is expected to appear in court soon.
SASSA Northern Cape’s Acting Regional Executive Manager, Ms Karabelo Mojanaga, commended law enforcement for their swift action and reaffirmed the agency’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud and exploitation.
“We trust this arrest will send a clear message that we will not tolerate the abuse of our beneficiaries. The law will catch up with those who prey on the vulnerable,” said Mojanaga. “The illegal retention of social grant cards and ID documents is not only a crime but morally unacceptable.”
She urged beneficiaries and the public to report any withholding of SASSA cards to either the police or SASSA’s toll-free number, 0800 60 10 11.
Mojanaga also highlighted the work of SASSA’s Fraud Management Unit, which actively investigates suspicious trends using data analysis and tip-offs from the public. All reports are handled confidentially and investigated thoroughly.
As the current payment cycle and national grant review process continue, SASSA is reminding beneficiaries to protect their personal information and stay vigilant against scams and exploitation.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the woman was arrested during a joint operation on Tuesday, 5 August 2025. She was found at an ATM in possession of multiple SASSA and bank cards, along with a large sum of cash.
Initial investigations suggest that the suspect was unlawfully holding beneficiaries' social grant cards and using them to withdraw cash from their accounts during payment periods — allegedly as repayment for illegal loans.
The woman is facing charges of fraud and contravening the National Credit Act and is expected to appear in court soon.
SASSA Northern Cape’s Acting Regional Executive Manager, Ms Karabelo Mojanaga, commended law enforcement for their swift action and reaffirmed the agency’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud and exploitation.
“We trust this arrest will send a clear message that we will not tolerate the abuse of our beneficiaries. The law will catch up with those who prey on the vulnerable,” said Mojanaga. “The illegal retention of social grant cards and ID documents is not only a crime but morally unacceptable.”
She urged beneficiaries and the public to report any withholding of SASSA cards to either the police or SASSA’s toll-free number, 0800 60 10 11.
Mojanaga also highlighted the work of SASSA’s Fraud Management Unit, which actively investigates suspicious trends using data analysis and tip-offs from the public. All reports are handled confidentially and investigated thoroughly.
As the current payment cycle and national grant review process continue, SASSA is reminding beneficiaries to protect their personal information and stay vigilant against scams and exploitation.