An Eastern Cape nurse has been sentenced to either four years’ imprisonment or a R20 000 fine after registering the birth of fictitious twins so someone could claim child support from Sassa.
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (the Hawks) said Gladys Ntlawuzana-Komboyi, who worked at Bambisana Hospital in Lusikisiki, had fraudulently registered the birth of twins – who did not exist – on 18 November 2022.
She was arrested with Nwabisa Precious Godlwana, Mantshangase Abigail Godlwana, and Gcobisa Godlwana, on 11 September 2023, and released on R3 000 bail.
IOL reports that the case against the remaining trio is still pending.
On 18 November 2022, an application for a birth certificate had allegedly been made at the Flagstaff Home Affairs Department by Gcobisa Godlwana under the pretence that she was the mother of the twins.
The next day, Gcobisa’s mother, Mantshangase, allegedly applied for a Child Support Grant (CSG) from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) at Bizana on her daughter’s behalf, and when discrepancies were picked up, the matter was referred to the Hawks.
The investigation found Child Support Grant payments of R4 892 were made to Mantshangase Godlwana.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Nurses charged with fraud over ‘fake births’
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Doctor is part of group charged with R25m Sassa fraud