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Grant fraud : 34 arrests24 January 2007 Mpho Dube JOHANNESBURG – Thirty-four government officials have been arrested in connection with social grant fraud and corruption. Mpumalanga social services spokesman Mpho Gabashane said yesterday the officials were from various departments in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng. The arrests were made after an investigation by the special investigating unit and the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) into social grant fraud. The officials will appear in the Witbank Magistrate’s Court tomorrow. Meanwhile six officials of the troubled Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture have been suspended following the firing of the MEC last year. Spokesman for the department Adele van der Linde confirmed the suspensions, but would not reveal names. She claimed this might “tamper with the investigations” into matters. The suspended officials – senior managers, deputy managers and other officials – are implicated in a forensic audit report. The forensic audit emanated from audit queries. The suspensions follow the firing of former MEC Joe Maswanganyi last year. She lost her position after irregular tendering processes,illegal awarding of contracts and security procurements were found during the Mapungubwe Arts Festival. Machike Thobejane, a member from the legislature’s portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture, supports the latest development. The auditor’s report shows underperformance within the department, and urges that “serious investigations are needed”, Thobejane said. – CNS. Source: Citizen News « back |
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