Latest news with #Myeza
The South African
23-05-2025
- The South African
Sassa fraud suspect gets denied urgent bail
A former employee of the South African Social Security Agency has been denied urgent bail by the Johannesburg High Court. Phumelele Myeza was arrested on 14 March 2025, on charges relating defrauding Sassa. According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Myeza put in an urgent bail application because she is impatient. 'The judgment comes after the defence approached the High Court for the accused to be released on bail. Arguing that the postponement period set by the lower court was excessively long and therefore irregular', said NPA spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane. According to the NPA, Myeza also has a pending and uncompleted bail application before the Lenasia Magistrates' Court. She is one of 11 suspects on the matter, charged in conjunction with her colleagues. Mjonondwane confirmed that they are facing charges related to cybercrime, fraud and theft. 'The State alleges that the accused orchestrated a complex scheme involving the creation of fake SASSA profiles, into which over R4 million was deposited and then allegedly used these profiles to withdraw large sums of money from various SASSA pay points', said Mjonondwane. 'Senior State Advocate, Matshediso Phatlanyane, emphasised that Myeza prematurely approached the High Court since the decision of the Magistrate is pending', said NPA spokesperson. She said the state's opposing application clearly outlined the lack of irregularities upon which the High Court could interfere. According to Mjonondwane, the Magistrate requested further evidence to be presented in court in order to make a decision. 'There was insufficient evidence before the High Court for it to arrive at a decision. The Court concurred with the State, ruling that the applicant had not provided enough evidence for the High Court to grant her bail, especially with a pending application in a lower court', Mjonondwane concluded. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHO STEAL FROM THE POOR? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
22-05-2025
- IOL News
Phumelele Myeza's bail application rejected by amid R4 million Sassa fraud allegations
The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has rejected the urgent bail application of Phumelele Myeza, the ninth accused in a sprawling South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraud case. The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has rejected the urgent bail application of Phumelele Myeza, the ninth accused in a sprawling South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraud case. The judgment comes after the defence approached the high court for the accused to be released on bail, arguing that the postponement period set by the lower court was excessively long and therefore irregular. Myeza and her 10 co-accused — who include eight Sassa officials — have a pending and uncompleted bail application before the Lenasia Magistrate's Court. They face more than 1,000 charges ranging from cybercrime to fraud to identity theft. 'The State alleged that the accused orchestrated a complex scheme involving the creation of fake Sassa profiles, into which an estimated R4 million was deposited. These fraudulent profiles were subsequently used to withdraw significant amounts of money from various Sassa pay points,' said Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- The Citizen
Sassa R4m fraud case latest: Court dismisses bail bid of accused
Jumping the gun: The bail bid of one of the 11 accused in the multimillion-rand Sassa fraud case has been dismissed by the high court. The 11 accused in the R4 million Sassa fraud scheme appears at the Lenasia Magistrate's Court on 29 April 2025. Pictures: Gallo Images/ Fani Mahuntsi The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed the urgent bail application of Phumelele Myeza, one of the accused in the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraud case, on Thursday, 22 May. The judgment comes after the defence approached the high court for the accused to be released on bail, arguing that the postponement period set by the Lenasia magistrate's court was excessively long and therefore irregular. Myeza and her 10 co-accused—who include eight Sassa officials—have a pending and uncompleted bail application before the Lenasia Magistrate's Court. They face more than 1,000 charges ranging from cybercrime to fraud to identity theft. Sassa fraud case: 'Complex scheme' of fake beneficiary profiles The state alleges that the accused orchestrated a complex scheme involving the creation of fake Sassa profiles, into which more than R4 million was deposited. They then allegedly used these profiles to withdraw large sums of money from various Sassa pay points. ALSO READ: Sassa millions 'heist' in Rosebank underground car park Multiple postponements The case, which first made headlines in 2024, has faced multiple postponements. 'The court is expected to continue with the 11 accused's bail applications on 10 and 11 June 2025 and may set a trial date as the National Prosecuting Authority prepares to present key witness testimony,' stated NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane after the group's last appearance on 29 April 2025. Witness interference? The defence attorneys representing the Sassa employees alleged potential witness interference during the bail hearing, claiming a Sassa official had visited their clients in prison to ask them to sign documents. State prosecutors, however, dismissed the allegations of witness interference, stating that the prison visit by Sassa officials was related to internal disciplinary processes rather than the criminal case. 'Complex scheme of fake Sassa profiles' The state alleges that the accused orchestrated a complex scheme involving the creation of fake Sassa profiles, into which more than R4 million was deposited. They then allegedly used these profiles to withdraw large sums of money from various Sassa pay points. ALSO READ: Sassa grant: June payment dates and claims of 'double pay' 'No irregularities': Lack of evidence in Sassa fraud accused's bail bid In opposing Myeza's bail bid on Thursday, Senior State Advocate Matshediso Phatlanyane emphasised that the accused prematurely approached the high court since the decision of the magistrate is pending. She further stated that there were no irregularities upon which the high court could interfere. Phatlanyane pointed out that the magistrate requested further evidence to be presented for her to make a decision. This because – according to the state advocate – there was insufficient evidence before the high court for it to arrive at a decision. The court concurred with the state, ruling that the applicant had not provided enough evidence for the high court to grant her bail, especially with a pending application in a lower court.
