69-year-old woman Devi Sigamoney appeals 10-year sentence for SASSA grant fraud! A 69-year-old woman, Devi Sigamoney, has approached the Pretoria North Magistrates Court in an attempt to appeal her 10-year prison sentence after being convicted of fraudulently benefitting from SASSA grants.
Sigamoney was sentenced last week after the court found her guilty of perjury, fraud, and theft, following revelations that she had been illegally collecting older persons’ grants for five years while also being a director of a multi-million-rand company.
Fraudulent Grants and Multi-Million-Rand Tenders
Investigations revealed that Sigamoney, a director at KJP Traders, continued to receive SASSA grant payouts despite her company securing R88 million worth of tenders from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to supply furniture in 2022.
Despite her lucrative business earnings, she illegally collected social grants, which are meant to assist the country’s most vulnerable elderly citizens.
SASSA grant
Emotional Court Appearance
On the day of her sentencing, Sigamoney appeared visibly emotional and shaken as she was led into the dock from the holding cells, with shackles on her ankles.
Her case has attracted significant public attention, as it highlights the abuse of government social welfare programs by individuals who do not qualify for financial assistance.
Appeal Application Delayed
Sigamoney was scheduled to appear in the Pretoria North Magistrates Court on Wednesday to argue her application for leave to appeal her 10-year sentence.
However, proceedings were delayed after her legal team was not ready to proceed.
Her application for leave to appeal has now been postponed to next week.
State Opposes Appeal
The Independent Directorate’s Henry Mamothame made it clear that they are ready to oppose Sigamoney’s application for appeal.
“We agree with the magistrate that when you pass sentence on such matters, it should be for the purpose of sending a stern warning to wanna-be perpetrators that the courts are taking such matters very seriously,” said Mamothame.
Authorities believe that leniency in such cases could encourage more fraudulent activity, making it essential that the sentence acts as a strong deterrent.
Partial Repayment of Fraudulent Gains
While Sigamoney continues her legal battle, she has paid back more than R138,000 of the grant money she wrongfully received.
However, legal experts suggest that repaying the money does not absolve her of wrongdoing, as she knowingly defrauded the system for five years.
Public Reaction and Implications
Sigamoney’s case has sparked widespread public outrage, with many South Africans condemning the abuse of social welfare programs designed for those who genuinely need assistance.
The incident also raises questions about SASSA’s vetting process and how wealthy individuals like Sigamoney managed to fraudulently receive grants for so long without detection.
The court’s final decision on her appeal could set a precedent for how cases of social grant fraud are handled in the future.
For now, Sigamoney remains in custody, awaiting the outcome of her appeal application next week.
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