Justice Dept vows to pay beneficiaries amid R17m Guardian Fund theft
The Justice Department says it's working around
the clock to process payments to all beneficiaries without further issues at
the Master of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg.
It says there have been delays because of a recent scandal when about R17 million went missing from the Guardian Fund office two months ago.
The department's Bheki Mbonani says an internal investigation revealed that the system hadn't been hacked.
It's alleged that employees had breached the office's security protocol.
Mbonani says staff at all six offices, including the branch in KZN, have now been placed under precautionary suspension.
"The criminal investigation found that the source of the breach was done internally by an official in the department who had access to the Guardian Fund."
READ: Former Ndwedwe payroll admin jailed for theft
Mbonani says the matter's been handed over to the Hawks for further investigations.
He says they've identified about 60% of the funds that were stolen, with arrests expected to be made soon.
"From the law enforcement agencies, the last information that has come to us is that they are close to doing the rest. We got word from the Hawks that they are at the advanced level.
"We are doing our internal investigations where we will also be closing up part of the investigation."
