- Six women have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the SA Social Security Agency.
- The women are accused of using fraudulent prescription letters to access social grants.
- Two of the women have been released on bail.
Six women accused of fraudulently using prescription letters to apply for social grants have been arrested in the Free State.
The woman, aged 38 to 55, were arrested on Tuesday and appeared in the Botshabelo Magistrate's Court on the same day on charges of fraud, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele.
They are also accused of the contravention of the Social Assistance Act, Makhele added
"The suspects were arrested by the Provincial Organised Crime Task Team after they allegedly defrauded Sassa (SA Social Security Agency) by providing fraudulent prescription letters which allowed them to apply for social grants," Makhele said.
"It is alleged that applicants will take the prescription to a local doctor who will, in turn, write a referral letter to Sassa as a supporting document for the social grant application."
Four of the women - Matshediso Diboka, 44, Limakatso Kobeli, 38, and Selloane Matela, 47, Dipuo Masitha, 55 - are still in custody. Masabata Tlhabang, 49, and Thakane Motopi, 53, were released on bail of R1 000 each.
The matter was postponed to 12 August.
"Anyone who might know of anyone involved in such a syndicate [can] contact the Provincial Organised Crime Task Team at 051 507 6622 or call Crime Stop [on] 08600 10111. Alternatively, send information via [the] My SAPS app," Makhele added.
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