Pretoria - Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu has sent a stern warning to public servants caught defrauding the system that they will be faced with tough action.
This comes after a series of incidents where a social worker was defrauding the system of over R70 000.
Angela Langa was claiming foster care grants by creating ghost beneficiaries using unemployed women as foster parents.
She forged birth certificates and made false applications before the magistrate courts.
Langa's illegal activities were exposed by one of the unemployed women she was working with, who blew the whistle and reported her to the department.
" Upon this knowledge the department followed internal disciplinary procedures, Langa was found guilty and was struck off the practice for three years and the department recovered the R73 998 35 by attaching her pension fund," the department said.
The department also referred the matter to the police, where a criminal case was opened against her, she was found guilty at the Bronkhorstspruit Regional Court and is due to appear for sentencing on 29 April 2010.
"Extreme action will be taken against those found guilty of defrauding the department, these services are meant to benefit disadvantaged citizens and should not be abused," Mahlangu warned.
