| | Another Welfare assassination Dalena van Jaarsveld and Tanya Waterworth In what is thought to be linked to alleged fraud and corruption at the Department of Social Development offices, five suspects have been arrested in connection with a triple murder at a homestead in Nseleni.
According to the commander of the Empangeni Detective Unit, Supt Mthalani, the target was deceased Thandi Msane (52), involved in the so-called 'ambulance women' scam prevalent at Welfare offices.
Msane is thought to have been due for a large payment, but apparently refused to share with some of the other deal makers involved - who then allegedly hired three hit men to take her out.
Her son, Xolani (28) and a tenant at the home, Mabiyela Mhlongo (37), were also killed in the attack.
Two of the suspects, both of whom are also 'ambulances', were found in possession of ID documents and application forms.
The suspects are due to appear in court this Friday. 'Ambulance' women
According to an Empangeni police spokesperson an 'ambulance' is the code name for people responsible for much of the fraud at the Social Development Offices. When applying for a grant, the official on duty (if connected with fraud dealings) will ask the applicant 'which ambulance did you come with?', meaning 'who will you be paying for this grant to go through?'
According to police, 'ambulance' women do business by offering to fill out applications for the applicants, but then claim the first few months' grant money before letting the grant fall into the rightful owner's hands.
MEC for Social Development Meshack Radebe has spoken out on numerous occasions against the 'ambulance' women and fraud and corruption at the offices in general, saying that his Department would not tolerate this type of corruption.
'One day I will personally go and throw over those fruit tables they use as a guise,' he exclaimed while at a meeting with his Department officials in Empangeni last week, saying that they posed as hawkers while actually engaging in corrupt deals. | |
No comments:
Post a Comment