Social Development probes KZN foster care grant scam
A verification process has been launched into 1376 ghost foster care grants that have defrauded government to the tune of R19-million annually at its Empangeni offices.
A high level team has been appointed to probe the allegations at the Social Development Department's Lower Umfolozi office on the north coast.
35 staff have been temporarily suspended for their alleged involvement. HOD Nokuthula Khanyile says the team is due to provide feedback next week.
Khanyile says those implicated in the scandal will not receive grants until verified.
"There is a case of two children who don't even exist but they are on the system. We are going to elevate the matter to criminal procedure because fraud is a criminal offence in this country.
"We will also proceed with an internal disciplinary hearing. Obviously, fraud is a very serious offence in any workplace," she said.