Hawks ‘ghost busters’ nab another 9 SASSA suspects

NINE locals were arrested last week on charges of fraud and corruption linked to South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) charges. The suspects appeared in the Empangeni Magistrates Court for their bail application on Thursday following their arrests by members of the Hawks and Durban Organised Crime Unit. Duduzile Khumalo (35), Nengiwe Fakude (59), Phetheni Zulu (42), Sabatha Mnqayi (39), Busisani Mlondo (35), Fikile Msweli (49), Nomusa Mhlongo (39), Molton Mngomezulu (59) and Cabangile Ndlovu (58) are each being charged on one count of fraud after they are believed to have been involved in the issuing of ‘ghost cards’ for child and disability grants. Khumalo, Fakude, Zulu, Mnqayi, Mlondo, Msweli and Mhlongo face a further two counts of fraud emanating from the 2012 offence. Khumalo, Fakude and Zulu are believed to have been the masterminds behind the offence as they were singled out in court and granted a fixed higher amount of bail than the rest of the accused. Acting on behalf of the accused, Advocate Ntshangase told the Magistrate that Khumalo, Fakude and Zulu could afford R2 000 bail while the rest of his clients would be able to afford R800. The state accepted the bail amounts and the case was adjourned to 1 October for the regional court date to be finalised. In July this year the ZO reported on 14 Zululanders arrested by members of the Hawks for allegedly defrauding SASSA of about R34-million between 2005 and 2008.