Govt targets social grant fraud
David Masango
20 December 2004
Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya has launched a public awareness campaign to root out fraud, corruption and maladministration in the provision of social grants.
The government estimates that corruption in the provision of social grants is costing the state R1.5-billion per annum.
The state pays out more than R50-billion per annum to more than nine million beneficiaries - some of whom are not entitled to receive the grants.
Addressing journalists in Pretoria last week, Skweyiya urged people who were not eligible to receive the grants to come forward or face harsh penalties.
Such people have until 31 March next year to come forward and be considered for indemnity or face "drastic measures", he warned.
However, syndicates and public servants who have defrauded the system will face legal action, which may include a jail term or seizure of their properties.
Skweyiya said about 37 000 people "enjoyed the benefit
beyond their entitlement", while over 1 000 foster care parents continued to receive foster care grants for children who exceeded the eligibility age.
He said there were more than 10 000 people who received old age grants for which they did not qualify.
He added that there were also people who allegedly continued to receive child support grants for more than 14 000 children despite Home Affairs records indicating that they were deceased.
"That is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated any longer", Skweyiya said. "We are committed to make sure that we drastically deal with that problem to ensure that the money and resources meant for the poor do indeed reach them."
The minister added that the establishment of the South African Social Security Agency, which will oversee the grants' administration, woudl help address the problem. The agency is due to start functioning in April 2005.
Other approaches to stem fraud and corruption include the the
deployment of sophisticated information technology to detect irregularities in the system, as well as a national anti-fraud hotline - 0800 701 701 - for the public to report abuses of the system.
Over the last two years, with the support of law enforcement agencies such as the Scorpions and the Asset Forfeiture Unit, 1 194 members of syndicates have been successfully prosecuted and millions of rands recovered.
"In the Eastern Cape alone, we have managed to realise savings of over R300-million this financial year", Skweyiya said.
Source: BuaNews
| 
