Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney Jailed for 20 Years After Fraudulently Claiming SASSA Grant
In a case that has sparked widespread outrage, Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney, a 67-year-old woman, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after fraudulently claiming a SASSA grant (older person’s grant) from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), despite earning millions of rands from government tenders. Sigamoney’s actions highlight the growing problem of fraudulent SASSA claims, which cost taxpayers millions and undermine the integrity of social assistance programs meant to help the vulnerable.
The Crime and the Sentence
Sigamoney appeared in the Pretoria North Regional Court, where Magistrate Pieter Nel handed down the sentence on Tuesday. She was convicted on multiple charges, including perjury, fraud, theft, and contravening the Social Assistance Act by providing false information to SASSA. Sigamoney was sentenced to two years for perjury, five years for each of the two counts of fraud, three years for theft, and five years for misrepresenting facts to obtain the grant.
However, some of these sentences were ordered to run concurrently, leading to an effective 10-year prison term. Sigamoney’s application for leave to appeal was postponed to March 12, 2025, and the legal proceedings surrounding her case continue.
This case serves as a warning to individuals who think they can exploit the system without consequences. Fraudulent activities that target social welfare programs like SASSA are a serious crime, and the courts are making it clear that they will impose harsh penalties on those who take advantage of these programs for personal gain.
The Full Extent of the Fraud
Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney’s case is particularly shocking due to the large sums of money involved. On April 13, 2017, Sigamoney applied for an old age grant from SASSA, claiming that she had not worked for the past 20 years. Using this claim, she secured the approval of the SASSA grant, with SASSA providing her with the grant letter the following day. However, Sigamoney’s financial activities told a very different story.
While collecting the SASSA grant, Sigamoney was actually the sole director of KJP Traders Pty, a company that had earned millions of rands from state contracts, particularly from the South African Police Service (SAPS). KJP Traders had been awarded lucrative tenders from as far back as 2012, long before Sigamoney applied for the grant. The company is estimated to have made approximately R88 million from SAPS contracts, with the last payment being made in 2022.
Despite the income generated from these government tenders, Sigamoney continued to collect the old age grant from July 2017 to July 2022. In total, she fraudulently received approximately R123,000 in grant payments. Remarkably, even after criminal charges were filed against her, Sigamoney continued to collect the grant for another 16 months, further compounding her criminal actions.
The Legal and Financial Repercussions
In addition to her prison sentence, Sigamoney faces financial consequences as well. The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) was granted a confiscation order, requiring Sigamoney to repay R138,593 with interest, calculated at an annual rate of 11.25%. This amount represents part of the funds fraudulently obtained from SASSA. However, during the sentencing proceedings, it was revealed that this repayment had not yet been made, and the court emphasized the importance of recovering these funds to ensure that justice is served.
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in both public office and welfare systems. Fraudulent claims not only drain public resources but also harm the most vulnerable members of society who rely on these grants for their basic survival. The sentence handed down to Sigamoney highlights the government’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for exploiting social assistance programs for personal gain.
The Message for Future Perpetrators
The conviction and sentencing of Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney sends a strong message to anyone who might consider engaging in similar fraudulent activities. Magistrate Pieter Nel stressed that the seriousness of such offenses requires harsh sentences to deter others from following suit. The government’s actions in cracking down on fraudulent SASSA claims are crucial in maintaining the integrity of social assistance programs that aim to support the elderly and vulnerable in society.
As the South African government continues to battle corruption and fraudulent activities, cases like Sigamoney’s highlight the importance of vigilance and accountability. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities related to social grants or tenders, ensuring that public resources are used for their intended purposes.
Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney’s conviction serves as a warning to those who may consider exploiting the welfare system for personal gain. By fraudulently collecting SASSA’s old age grant while profiting from government tenders, Sigamoney took advantage of a system meant to help the country’s most vulnerable people. The harsh sentence she received and the financial penalties imposed underscore the seriousness of such offenses. This case is a reminder that fraudulent activities, particularly those targeting social assistance programs, will not be tolerated, and the courts will act decisively to protect public resources.
