In a decisive move to protect public funds, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has dismissed five officials caught up in a sprawling fraud and corruption scandal at its Johannesburg Local Office.

The dismissal, part of a larger crackdown that saw eight officials arrested and charged last year, highlight the Agency’s no-nonsense approach to wrongdoing.

SASSA CEO Themba confirmed that the dismissed officials are among eight who faced charges of fraud-related offences, while the remaining three cases are still pending court verdicts.

“The criminal investigations are ongoing, underscoring the seriousness with which SASSA treats any abuse of its systems.”

Matlou added that the Johannesburg Local Office, located at 1 De Villiers Street, where the fraudulent activity was conducted, has been reopened, after it was temporarily closed from 15 September 2025 for the agency to implement fraud prevention measures.

“During this shutdown, SASSA strengthened internal controls, improved oversight, and rolled out robust fraud prevention measures. Beneficiaries were not left in the lurch: staff and services were temporarily redeployed to ensure uninterrupted access to essential social grants across Johannesburg and neighbouring areas.”

Matlou says the dismissals send a strong signal that criminal activity within the agency will not be tolerated.

“Fraud and corruption have no place in our Agency. Accountability is non-negotiable, and any official found guilty of misconduct will face decisive consequences. We remain committed to protecting public resources and restoring trust in our services.”