Attempted assassination of SASSA manager who uncovered R10 million fraud and corruption

The Minister of Social Development, Dina Pule, has been called to account in Parliament on an alleged assassination attempt against a senior manager at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

Bandile Maqetuka, the Eastern Cape regional manager at SASSA, opened a criminal case in KuGompo City on 11 September 2026 after being tipped off earlier this month that a hitman had been hired to kill him.

The threat comes as the agency’s anti-fraud operations continue to uncover corruption relating to criminal syndicates exploiting SASSA’s grant system.

Maqetuka believes the attempt on his life is related to the dismissal of five officials from SASSA’s Dutywa office in July last year, who were allegedly working for one such syndicate.

The syndicate had created fraudulent beneficiaries and grant applications, with Maqetuka saying SASSA had lost at least R10 million to fraud and corruption through this syndicate alone.

The five officials had supplied the syndicate with bank account details, addresses, and beneficiary information in order to facilitate the scheme.

“I opened a case at the Fleet Street police station after I was tipped off about someone from Dutywa who had sought the assistance of a hitman to take my life,” Maqetuka told the Daily Dispatch.

“I got a call from someone who was initially part of the plot, and we met physically. The person told me that the instigator thought I would be stopping at the Dutywa office.”

SASSA CEO Themba Matlou said the agency is aware of the threats made against Maqetuka and has strengthened its fraud-prevention systems over the past two years.

Within the first quarter of the current financial year, Matlou said SASSA’s Eastern Cape office had reviewed 8,263 grants.

Of these, 4,979 grants were suspended, with a further 23 flagged for investigation for potential fraud. The agency plans to strengthen reviews of grant applications for the current quarter.

Member of Parliament Nazley Sharif has called on Minister Pule to answer for the extent of the fraud uncovered within SASSA, the financial losses incurred, and whether other officials are at risk.

She has been requested to explain what investigations are currently underway into fraud and corruption at SASSA, and what steps are being taken to protect Maqetuka and other officials.

“These allegations raise serious questions about the extent of fraud and corruption within SASSA and the networks allegedly benefiting from the abuse of the grant system,” Sharif said.

“SASSA spent R267 billion on social grants in 2024/25 to support vulnerable South Africans. We cannot afford to allow money intended to support the poor to be abused through fraud and corruption.”