Six held with 200 fake Sassa grant cards

POLICE have vowed to dig deep and root out more fraud syndicates following the arrest of six suspects in possession of more than 200 social grant cards in the Bo-Kaap and Mitchells Plain.

Police said that on Monday they came across two suspicious vehicles while doing patrols in Mitchells Plain.

“Both vehicles, a Toyota Avanza and a Toyota LDV, were stopped and searched, which led to the discovery of 49 Sassa cards hidden in a chocolate box in the Avanza.

“It was evident that the occupants of the two vehicles were in cahoots and their interrogation led the members to an address in Elbow Gardens in Rugby where a further 191 Sassa cards were seized.

“The four male suspects aged 18, 33, 45 and 56 were arrested and further interrogated, as it was clear that they were heading somewhere with the cards before being apprehended,” said police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut.

He said information extracted from the suspects led them to a residence in Bo-Kaap where 427 bank cards of various financial intuitions were found.

“Two suspects, a 56-year-old female and a 32-year-old male, were arrested.

“While the suspects are awaiting their fate in a court of law for the possession of possible stolen property and for contravening the Electronic Transactions Act (No 25 of 2002), detectives are hard at work to probe the circumstances surrounding the arrests.

“This is to ensure a successful prosecution and to determine if more arrests are possible,” he said.

Provincial Sassa spokesperson Shivani Wahab said this was sadly not the first incident targeting social grant recipients.

“We are working closely with the SAPS to root out all social grant-related fraud.

“Sassa would like to urge the public to report any suspected scams.

“Clients are again advised on the importance of safe-guarding their Sassa cards and pins.

“Sassa no longer issues cards to new social grant clients. Applicants are advised to open banking accounts for all new social grant applications,” she said.

Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs commended the swift arrest by the police, saying, “We hope the court will play its role in ensuring these criminals are dealt with (by) the full might of the law.”

Esley Philander of Black Sash called for the suspects to be investigated.

“It is crucial that they are speedily prosecuted and that there is further investigation into why such a high number of Sassa and other bank cards were in their possession,” Philander said.

To report Sassa-related fraud call the National Anti-Corruption hotline number: 0800 701 701.