Gauteng High Court rejects urgent bail application of Phumelele Myeza in complex Sassa fraud case involving over 1,000 charges and R4 million in stolen grants.
Sassa R4M Fraud Case: The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed an urgent bail application by Phumelele Myeza, one of the eleven accused in the high-profile R4 million Sassa fraud case, citing insufficient evidence and a still-pending application before the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court.
This ruling marks a pivotal development in a fraud saga that has rocked the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and captured national attention due to its scale, complexity, and the involvement of insiders.
A Fraudulent Scheme Unveiled
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Myeza and her co-accused—eight of whom are reportedly Sassa employees—allegedly conspired to create fake Sassa beneficiary profiles. These profiles were used to funnel more than R4 million in social grant funds into their control, which were later withdrawn at multiple Sassa pay points.
The group faces over 1,000 charges, including cybercrime, fraud, and identity theft.
High Court Weighs In: No Bail, No Irregularities
Senior State Advocate Matshediso Phatlanyane argued strongly against granting bail to Myeza, emphasizing that her approach to the high court was premature given the ongoing process in the magistrate’s court.
Phatlanyane stated that the lower court had requested further evidence to rule on the bail applications and that there were no procedural irregularities necessitating high court intervention.
The Johannesburg High Court agreed with this reasoning, ruling that Myeza had failed to present adequate evidence to justify her urgent bail request.
Pending Decisions and Postponements
The Lenasia Magistrate’s Court is expected to continue with bail proceedings on 10 and 11 June 2025, during which the NPA may present key witness testimony and potentially set a trial date.
This case has faced multiple delays since it first made headlines in 2024, further intensifying public interest and scrutiny.
Witness Interference Allegations Denied
The defence alleged that Sassa officials visited some of the accused in prison to coerce them into signing documents, suggesting potential witness tampering.
However, state prosecutors rejected this claim, clarifying that the visits were related to internal disciplinary procedures and bore no relation to the criminal proceedings.
Complex Crime, Complex Justice
Legal analysts have labelled this case as a “textbook example of internal corruption” exploiting vulnerabilities within the social welfare system. The creation of non-existent beneficiaries to divert public funds is seen as a severe betrayal of trust by those entrusted to protect South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens.
As the legal process unfolds, South Africans are watching closely to see how the courts will deal with the abuse of public resources intended for social upliftment.