A 70-year-old pensioner, Salamina Khoza, has been charged with fraud and theft for allegedly unlawfully receiving over R100,000 in old-age pension payments from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) between September 2014 and August 2022.
Allegations of Fraudulent Grant Claims
Khoza is accused of failing to disclose her financial status while collecting SASSA benefits. According to the state, she was the sole director of three companies—Isasalethu Construction and Office Consumables, Sifikile Furniture and Projects, and Siyanqoba Trading and Projects. These companies were awarded tenders worth more than R60 million from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Under the Social Assistance Act, grant recipients are required to report any significant financial changes that may impact their eligibility for social assistance. The prosecution claims Khoza deliberately withheld this information when applying for and receiving pension benefits, thereby committing perjury.
Legal Proceedings and Trial Date
Khoza appeared before the Pretoria North Regional Court on March 12, 2025, where her case was postponed to July 22, 2025, for trial. The court proceedings are expected to focus on whether she knowingly misrepresented her financial status to SASSA while benefiting from lucrative government tenders.
Connection to SAPS Tender Corruption
Apart from the fraud and theft charges related to the SASSA payments, Khoza also faces separate corruption charges linked to the irregular SAPS tenders. Authorities suspect that the tenders awarded to her companies were obtained unlawfully, raising concerns about corruption within the police procurement system.
As the trial approaches, Khoza’s case highlights broader concerns about fraudulent grant claims and corruption within government contracts. The outcome of her trial could set a precedent for future cases involving pension fraud and state tender corruption in South Africa.