The 25-year-old Abdur Razzar Shakir was sentenced on Tuesday. The Hawks' provincial spokesperson, Nomthandazo Mnisi, in a statement says the suspect was nabbed by the Hawks in 2020 following a tip-off. She says he was arrested in possession of South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant cards, bank cards, and identity documents of community members in Upington. Mnisi adds that Shakir unlawfully kept these cards to guarantee payments for illegally advanced loans and the supply of goods from the tuckshop, which is in contravention of the National Credit Act.

OFM News previously reported that a 52-year-old man, a former Sassa official in the province, is facing prosecution over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

The 52-year-old former senior practitioner allegedly received bribes to the tune of R60 000 between 2009 and 2010. According to Mnisi, this multimillion-rand company, which she names as “Trifecta Holdings (Pty) Ltd", allegedly paid the money to this senior practitioner in the Facility Management and Auxiliary Support of Sassa. Mnisi said by virtue of his position, the 52-year-old facilitated proper execution of lease agreements between the Trifecta group of companies and Sassa.

OFM News