Hawks investigate R90m social grants theft

The Hawks are after thieves who stole almost R90 million in social grants funds from the Postbank. Picture: Timothy Bernard / African News Agency / ANA

The Hawks are after thieves who stole almost R90 million in social grants funds from the Postbank. Picture: Timothy Bernard / African News Agency / ANA

Published Jul 28, 2022

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Johannesburg - The Hawks are investigating the theft of almost R90 million in social grant funds from the Postbank in a cybercrime attack.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has confirmed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations is probing the embarrassing incident which occurred in October last year.

Zulu revealed details of the theft in a parliamentary reply to IFP MP Liezl van der Merwe.

"A formal criminal case was opened soon after discovery of the incident. The case was opened with the specialised unit of the organised crime unit of the SA Police Service," Zulu stated.

According to the minister, the case is currently being investigated by the Hawks.

She said over 600 pages of information gathered by the Postbank's internal investigation unit was handed over to the Hawks.

"The Hawks' criminal investigation is currently ongoing and includes all leads available. Postbank is co-operating fully with the investigators to try and apprehend the suspects.

Post Bank has a zero tolerance to any fraud or theft and will act against any staff member or any other party found guilty to the full extent of the law," Zulu added.

She explained that no specific Postbank, SA Post Office or SA Social Security Agency staff members were separately being investigated.

"However, all staff that were close to the environment where the incident took place are treated as suspects and are included in the list of staff being investigated by the Hawks. No arrests have been made at this point in time," Zulu explained.

She also assured van der Merwe that as part of the recruitment and selection process within Postbank, all potential, employees were vetted before being appointed.

This includes criminal, credit, identity documents and citizenship checks while its contractors must also be security vetted and approved before working on Postbank information technology systems.

The Saturday Star