ANC prefers a ‘speedy resolution’ on matter between Sassa and CPS

Mabe says there must be a speedy resolution on the matter, and work must be done in the interest of South Africans and the entire grant payment system.

African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) President Bathabile Dlamini during the national Women’s Day celebrations at the Union Buildings on August 09, 2016 in Pretoria, South Africa. August 09, 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March on the Union Buildings against the discriminatory pass laws. Picture: Gallo Images

The ruling ANC would prefer a speedy resolution to the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and Cash Paymasters Services (CPS), says the party spokesperson, Pule Mabe.

Mabe was speaking to The Citizen following news that Cash Paymasters Services (CPS) had filed papers with the Constitutional Court, asking for an extension of the contract it ruled should terminate end of March 2018.

“There must a speedy resolution of this Sassa matter, we are still maintaining that line,” Mabe said as he cautiously explained that the ANC would want to appraise itself first of these developments before fully commenting.

“The former MP and youth leader said that though the party understands that Sassa and CPS might have made the application based on the appreciation of the work done by the department [social development], work must be done in the interest of people of South Africa and the entire grant payment system.”

Earlier in the day, responding to Nehawu spokesperson Khaya Xaba’s remarks on 702 that it was clear that Sassa did not want to let go of the Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) contract, Cabinet spokesperson and acting director-general of Government Communication and Information Services (GCIS) Pumla Williams said: “The courts have spoken, they have said the contract must come to an end.”

“People are benefiting from that contract, otherwise how would you expect to justify why they would need to continue with a contract that is supposed to be ending?” Xaba said, and also argued that since Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini is in the hot seat in relation to the Sassa debacle, the government should have taken action against her.

“What we can assure Khaya [Xaba] is that there is a period to allow us to transition. This is not extending the contract.

“People have been paid through the bank in January and February and post offices on track. We are getting feedback at the interministerial committee, the latest briefing took place on Monday. The handover will be completed smoothly, and there will not be an extension as required by department of social development,” said Williams.