The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday said the investigation into South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) CEO Busisiwe Memela-Khambula must be rapid, and thorough, to avoid wasting millions on her suspension.

Memela-Khambula has been placed on precautionary suspension on full pay pending the outcome of an investigation into her appointment, after issues were raised by the Public Protector.

Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe announced the suspension on Tuesday, saying the decision was prompted by the need to investigate without hindrance or interference.

DA Social Development deputy spokesperson Alexandra Abrahams said the party wanted President Cyril Ramaphosa to proclaim a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation to probe the wide-scale fraud at Sassa, as the Department of Social Development “seems to be out of its depth and slow to action on numerous issues at Sassa”.

The party expressed concerns that the Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) system remains compromised, with fraudsters continuing to syphon off public funds meant for the poor and vulnerable, while desperate eligible South Africans, who are predominately youth, remain locked out of receiving social assistance.

Abrahams pointed out that Sassa beneficiaries, including SRD recipients, had suffered under the “insensitivity and incompetence” of the suspended CEO.

“…under her watch, Sassa grants are routinely paid late, paid to the wrong persons, or suspended without explanation. Evidence of her intervention into corruption and fraud bleeding Sassa dry; of capacitating Sassa offices and ensuring that their systems are always operational; ensuring that Sassa telephone lines are manned and answered; as well as addressing the long queues, is scant,” she said.

Abrahams further pointed out that while many South Africans relied on monthly grants to survive, Memela-Khambula has been suspended with pay.

“The Public Protector's probe jolted the [Social Development] Minister to take action, while the DA has raised concerns on the CEO for years,” she added.

In 2020, the DA requested a South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigation into Memela-Khambula.

In 2021, it requested that the former Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu investigate the CEO’s alleged links to a nepotism cover-up, her role in irregular appointments, and possible procurement corruption.

“When the former Minister refused to act, the DA approached the Public Protector to investigate, amongst other concerns, former Minister Zulu’s failure to implement the Special Investigation Unit recommendation that disciplinary action be taken against several officials, including the CEO, for irregular procurement and distribution of food parcels in the Eastern Cape,” said Abrahams.