The Democratic Alliance (DA) has urged Minister of Social Development Dina Pule to provide urgent answers in parliament regarding an alleged plot to kill Bandile Maqetuka, Sassa's regional manager in the Eastern Cape. Maqetuka was reportedly targeted while investigating fraud and corruption involving estimated losses of R10 million. The DA's spokesperson on social development, Nazley Sharif, said Pule must account for the extent of the fraud uncovered within Sassa.
Sharif stated that Pule must provide details on the financial losses associated with the fraud, ongoing investigations, and whether other officials may be in danger. The DA also wants Pule to outline measures to protect Maqetuka and other officials involved in investigating fraud and corruption. The party has written to the chairperson of the portfolio committee on social development, requesting that the matter be placed on the agenda.
The allegations raise serious questions about the extent of fraud and corruption within Sassa, the networks allegedly profiting from the abuse of the grant system, and whether officials tasked with exposing these crimes are adequately protected. In 2024/2025, Sassa spent approximately R267 billion on social grants to support vulnerable South Africans.
Sharif emphasized that it is unacceptable for funds intended to support the poor to be misused through fraud and corruption. The DA will continue to hold the minister accountable and ensure that the party stands up for social grant beneficiaries. Public funds must be protected, those responsible for fraud must be held accountable, and officials who expose corruption must be able to do their work without fear of reprisal.
The DA's call for accountability follows concerns about the safety of Maqetuka and other officials investigating fraud and corruption within Sassa. The party believes that Pule must provide transparency on the measures being taken to address the issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Sassa's expenditure on social grants is a significant portion of the government's budget, and the DA is keen to ensure that the funds are used effectively and efficiently. The party's demand for accountability is part of its efforts to promote transparency and good governance in the social development sector.
The matter is expected to be raised in parliament, with the DA pushing for a thorough investigation into the alleged plot and the extent of fraud and corruption within Sassa. The outcome of the investigation will likely have implications for the management of social grants and the protection of officials who expose corruption.
Key points
- The DA has called on Minister Dina Pule to provide urgent answers in parliament regarding an alleged plot to kill Sassa's Eastern Cape regional manager Bandile Maqetuka.
