The Pretoria North Regional granted the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) a confiscation order against a 67-year-old businesswoman who was convicted of theft and fraud after she defrauded the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney was also found guilty of perjury after she benefited from Sassa while being a director of a company that was awarded tenders from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said the tender, which was worth R88 million, was to supply office furniture between 2017 and 2022.
Explaining events leading up to Sigamoney’s arrest, Mamothame said on April 13, 2017, Sigamoney applied for an old age grant with Sassa.
“She attached a supporting affidavit wherein she stated that she has never worked for a period of 20 years.”
On 18 April, 2017, Sassa provided Sigamoney with a letter of approval, which she signed for as received.
“She is alleged to have received grant money from Sassa amounting to approximately R123,000 from July 2017 to July 2022.”
The IDAC said subsequent to charges being registered against her, Sigamoney continued to receive the grant for a further 16 months.
Meanwhile, the order stipulates that an amount of R138,593 together with interest at a prescribed rate of 11.25% per annum, calculated from the date of this order to the date of payment, be paid back to SASSA.
Sigamoney was also ordered to provide proof of payment to the state.
Following her conviction, she will be sentenced on January 14, 2025.
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