This week’s story took place at the Pretoria North Regional Court and involves two pensioners who defrauded SASSA of a combined R275 000. The two pensioners are 70-year-old Salamina Khoza and 69-year-old Devi Sigamoney. Salamina and Devi faced charges of contravention of the Social Assistance Act, contravention of the Justice of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act, fraud, and theft, as they both did not qualify for receiving the grant.
Sindisiwe Seboka from the NPA confirmed that the two did not qualify for the grant, “as they had received at least R140 million in SAPS tenders.”
Devi, on 13 April 2017, applied to SASSA and stated that she had never worked for a period of 20 years. Hebanna, Devi! Her application was then approved, and she is alleged to have started receiving money from SASSA. She received approximately R135 000 from SASSA payouts.
Sindisiwe Seboka from the NPA clearly stated: “Although she is listed as the director of KJP Traders (Pty) Ltd and Matthew Pillay (her son), KJP is alleged to have conducted business with the State as early as 2012, preceding her application to SASSA. Furthermore, the company is estimated to have cashed in over R88 million from the contract.” R88 million, jeez!
With regards to Salamina, it is alleged that she applied for the grant in September 2014 and was approved a week later on the basis that she was only making a living by selling perishable goods.
Sindisiwe confirmed for us that Salamina “was already the sole director of three companies registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) of the National Treasury. The three companies are recipients of various amounts of money that were paid to them by the SAPS because they had tendered with the police services.” These companies were the subject of criminal proceedings in various courts, wherein she was charged with other accused for corruption related to irregular tenders with SAPS.
“Between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2022, she is accused of having received R152 125 from SASSA, while allegedly receiving over R60 million from her three companies.” R60 million, yoh!
It was revealed that Salamina Khoza did not have any authority to perform transactions over the accounts held by her companies. Salamina Khoza was fronting for Kishene Chetty, who was the actual beneficial owner of the three companies, according to Sindisiwe.
Always remember, crime is NEVER worth it. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
DISCLAIMER! This content is for educational and informational purposes based on publicly available information.
Source: NPA