Parliament, Friday, 25 September 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Ms Bridget Masango, has condemned the reported intimidation of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Eastern Cape Regional Manager in kuGompo, Mr Bandile Maqethuka.
In media reports, Mr Maqethuka has claimed that the intimidation is linked to SASSA’s anti-fraud operations to recover more than R10 million stolen from SASSA’s system.
Ms Masango said in a country where gun violence has skyrocketed, threats of this nature should be treated with the attention and urgency they deserve. “The committee supports all efforts to rid the SASSA system of all corruption and that work must not stop. We can’t have thugs going around threatening officials for doing their jobs,” she said.
Ms Masango called on law enforcement agencies in the area and other role-players to leave no stone unturned to expose all those who are behind the threats of intimidation. Meanwhile, Mr Maqethuka and other SASSA officials at the forefront of the anti-fraud efforts should be provided with maximum protection as investigations intensify.
Ms Masango condemned the fact that people serving the most vulnerable in society are now subjected to these kinds of threats. “The committee calls on officials not to let fear discourage them. The work of cleansing our institutions of corruption must not stop. South Africans better stand firm, as this is the same approach used to silence whistleblowers,” emphasised Ms Masango.
She called on SASSA’s national and provincial senior managers to follow up on these claims and provide Mr Maqetuka with all the necessary support.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, MS BRIDGET MASANGO.
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