Hawks pounce on Free State Housing over fraudulent activities in FLISP subsidy

The Hawks in the Free State raided the provincial department of human settlement (housing) in Bloemfontein on Monday, May 13.

Fikiswa Matoti, Hawks acting spokesperson in the province revealed that members of the Hawks confiscated documents that can be linked to Financial Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) scandal, where some departmental officials are allegedly involved in fraudulent activities related to this programme.

“During April 2024, the Provincial Department of Human Settlements referred information for criminal investigation to the Hawks’ in relation to the Financial Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) where some officials were allegedly involved in fraudulent activities related to FLISP applications that were identified.

This was after the Anti-corruption unit within the department conducted their internal investigation that resulted in the suspension of at least one department official,” says Matoti.

Insiders in the department, revealed that the department previously launched the anti-corruption unit within the department to probe an internal investigation that resulted in the suspension of one of the alleged officials involved in this syndicate.

Matoti says the Hawks were tipped-off, of the alleged syndicate, and a serious investigation was initiated and the Hawks discovered the alleged corruption syndicate trail oh how officials are manipulating the FLISP system.

First Home Finance programme is a housing subsidy for first-time home buyers to assist with purchasing a home. If your household income is between R3 501 to R22 000 per month, and you meet all the qualifying criteria, you may use this subsidy to purchase your first home.

“Necessary measures for a search to be conducted at the department of Human Settlements were put in place to search and seize all original documents needed for the investigation. The application was approved by the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 9 May 2024,” she said.

Matoti said as a result of their investigation, documents and electronic devices were seized during the smooth raid operation.

The Hawks are continuing with the investigations.