Fifteen people have been arrested in Khulile for allegedly impersonating officials from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and targeting grant beneficiaries with fraudulent funeral policy offers.

According to authorities, the suspects approached residents under the guise of a “SASSA promotion”, convincing community members to sign up for insurance products they believed were linked to government benefits. The arrests form part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on scams exploiting vulnerable grant recipients, particularly in rural areas.

SASSA has strongly denied any involvement, stating that it has no partnership or agreement with any private company to sell insurance products to grant beneficiaries. The agency warned that the misuse of its name to target vulnerable communities is a serious offence and urged the public to report suspicious activity.

The case has drawn attention due to its connection to 1Life Insurance. However, the company has clarified that the individuals arrested are not its employees, but agents linked to an independent broker contracted to sell its products.

In an official statement, 1Life Insurance confirmed that it has identified the broker involved and that the broker has been suspended pending an investigation into the allegations. The company emphasised that its employees do not sell insurance products directly to SASSA grant beneficiaries and that all independent brokers are required to follow strict rules when engaging with the public.

These rules include a prohibition on using the SASSA name or suggesting any form of affiliation with the agency when marketing insurance products. 1Life stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance approach to misrepresentation, especially where vulnerable communities are concerned, and reiterated its support for protecting grant recipients from misleading conduct.

A criminal case has been opened, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have not yet confirmed the full extent of the alleged scam or whether victims have been able to recover any money.

For communities in the Eastern Cape, the incident highlights a growing pattern of scams where fraudsters use trusted institutions like SASSA to gain access to personal information and finances. Residents are urged to remain cautious and to verify any offers that claim to be linked to government programmes.

Officials have repeatedly warned that SASSA does not partner with private companies to sell insurance or financial products. Beneficiaries are advised to demand identification and not to share personal information or sign documents unless they are certain of the source.

Anyone who believes they may have been affected is encouraged to report the matter to SAPS or contact SASSA directly for assistance.

Correction (1 May 2026): This article has been updated to clarify that the individuals arrested were not employees of 1Life Insurance, but agents linked to an independent broker contracted to sell its products. We regret the error.

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