This is according to police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo.

Mbambo said all 33 accused appeared briefly in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court and are on bail of R500 each with the exception of the alleged mastermind of the operation, Malefu Mokhethi (41), who was denied bail and has been remanded in custody.

She said the arrests were made early this month as part of “Project Combat” after 30 women were implicated in defrauding social grants in various sections in Botshabelo just outside Bloemfontein.

She added that the alleged mastermind behind the scam, Mokhethi, allegedly targeted vulnerable people with a promise of assisting them to obtain social grants.

She is believed to have issued them with fraudulent doctor`s referral letters, qualifying them to apply for grants for a fee ranging from R200.

“Project Combat” targets people who are fraudulently applying for welfare grants.

OFM News/Michael Tlhakudi