New allegations have come to light regarding the diversion of millions of rands in social welfare grant funds, linking Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) to a large-scale fraud operation. Former Fidelity cash transport officers have revealed shocking details in affidavits, claiming that proper procedures were deliberately ignored during the transportation of funds in the late 2000s. These affidavits suggest that bags of cash intended for distribution to social grant recipients were intercepted and redirected to a senior CPS official in a sophisticated scheme that took place in a basement in Rosebank.
The allegations paint a troubling picture of systemic corruption, with the money meant for the country’s most vulnerable citizens, including pensioners, children, and the disabled, being siphoned off by individuals in positions of power within CPS. According to the former Fidelity officers, the heist took place under the cover of darkness, with the stolen funds being secretly diverted and misappropriated. The heist, often referred to as a “car-boot heist,” is believed to have been part of a larger network of fraud that continued unchecked for some time.
The scale of the fraud raises serious questions about the integrity of CPS, the company responsible for paying social grants in South Africa at the time. If proven, the claims would suggest a breach of trust not only by the officials involved but by a system designed to protect the financial well-being of millions of South Africans. The discovery of this alleged scheme further deepens concerns about governance and oversight within the country’s social welfare system, which has long struggled with allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities reviewing the affidavits and gathering additional evidence. If the allegations are substantiated, the fallout could result in criminal charges for those implicated, as well as renewed calls for greater accountability and transparency within SASSA and CPS. As this case unfolds, it underscores the critical need for stronger oversight of the country’s welfare distribution system to ensure that funds intended for vulnerable communities are not misappropriated.