A former Post Office manager in Mpumalanga has lost over R100 000 of her pension payout for defrauding SASSA beneficiaries without their knowledge.
Lucia Mashego, a wheelchair bound former Shatale Post Office branch manager in Bushbuckridge colluded with a teller, Thandeka Dibakwane, and a private person, Precious Nyathi, to steal from SASSA beneficiaries without their knowledge.
FORMER POST OFFICE MANAGER LOSES PENSION OVER DEFRAUDING SASSA BENEFICIARIES
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (also known as the Hawks), Mashego made duplicate SASSA cards that were given to Dibakwane, who handed them to Nyathi to unlawfully withdraw money from different ATMs.
Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the SASSA beneficiaries suffered an actual loss of R250 000 that was unlawfully withdrawn from their accounts.
Nkosi said upon noticing the illicit activities, Virginia Phoku, another post office teller, took advantage of the situation and made herself duplicate cards.
Phoku was found guilty and sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of a similar offence in January.
“Mashego pleaded guilty on all 60 fraud charges on 27 May. She was sentenced to eight years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of a similar offence. The court further ordered the Asset Forfeiture Unit to recover R146 897,05 from her pension fund,” Nkosi explained.
OTHER ACCUSED YET TO BE SENTENCED
Meanwhile, the former Post Office manager’s accomplices, Dibakwane and Nyathi, are expected to appear before the Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday, 13 August.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Nico Gerber issued a strong warning to people in authority not to abuse their powers for self-enrichment at the expense of the most needy.
“We will investigate without fear or favor and ensure justice is served,” Gerber said.
DO YOU THINK THE SENTENCE RECEIVED BY THE FORMER POST OFFICE MANAGER IS SUITABLE?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
