On Wednesday, the Pretoria North Regional Court decided to delay the fraud trial involving Salamina Khoza, a 70-year-old pensioner, until July 22.
Khoza is accused of unlawfully receiving over R100,000 in monthly old age pension payouts from Sassa despite her companies being awarded police service tenders worth R60 million between September 2014 and August 2022.
Charges Against Salamina Khoza
According to Henry Mamothame, a spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate, Khoza faces several charges. These include:
- Contravention of the Social Assistance Act
- Contravention of the Justice of Peace and Commissioners Oaths Act
- Fraud
- Theft
Furthermore, Khoza’s companies are also involved in criminal proceedings across multiple courts. These proceedings relate to corruption charges involving alleged irregular tenders within the police service, where Khoza faces accusations of collaborating with other individuals in illegal dealings.
Case Against Devi Sigamoney
In a related matter, the case against 69-year-old Devi Sigamoney was postponed until March 20. Sigamoney, who had been sentenced to 10 years of direct imprisonment for defrauding Sassa of R135,000 in pension payouts, has filed for leave to appeal her sentence.
Sigamoney’s company was the sole beneficiary of tenders worth approximately R88 million from the police service to supply office furniture between 2017 and 2022. Her new legal representative requested a postponement to thoroughly examine the court transcripts before proceeding with further arguments.
Table of Charges and Case Details
| Name | Age | Charges | Tender Value | Trial Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salamina Khoza | 70 | Contravention of Social Assistance Act, Justice of Peace Act, Fraud, Theft | R60 million (police) | July 22 |
| Devi Sigamoney | 69 | Fraud (R135,000) | R88 million (police) | March 20 |
The cases involving Salamina Khoza and Devi Sigamoney highlight serious concerns regarding fraudulent pension payouts and irregular tenders linked to the police service. While Khoza’s case has been postponed for trial in July, Sigamoney’s attempt to appeal her 10-year prison sentence will be addressed in March.
These ongoing legal battles continue to raise questions about the integrity of public tender processes and the abuse of pension funds meant for the elderly.
FAQs
What are the charges against Salamina Khoza?
Salamina Khoza faces charges related to the Social Assistance Act, Justice of Peace and Commissioners Oaths Act, fraud, and theft.
Why was Devi Sigamoney’s case postponed?
Devi Sigamoney’s case was postponed to allow her new legal representative time to study the court transcripts before making further arguments regarding her appeal.
How much was the fraudulent pension payout in Salamina Khoza’s case?
Khoza allegedly received more than R100,000 in monthly pension payouts despite being involved in tendering activities worth R60 million.