By BAKANG MOKOTO
5 November 2024- The Pretoria North Regional Court granted the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) a confiscation order against Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney (67), after she was convicted on charges of perjury, fraud and theft. Sigamoney defrauded the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) pension pay-outs, while being the sole director of a company that was awarded tenders worth approximately R88 million from the South African Police Service (SAPS), to supply office furniture between 2017 and 2022.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the order stipulates that an amount of R138 593.00, together with interest at a prescribed rate of 11.25% per annum, calculated from the date of this order to the date of payment, be paid back to SASSA. Mamothame said the accused was also ordered to provide proof of payment to the state.
“This is the NPA’s strategy to use the forfeiture powers of the AFU to take away the proceeds of crime back to the state, to ensure that crime does not pay. Following her conviction on the matter, sentencing is set for 14 January 2025,” he said.
The Guardian 