Dlamini and Sassa grab extra days to save face

The department of social development (DSD) under Minister Bathabile Dlamini has done an about-face over statements that the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) would be making payments to its more than 17 million grants on Saturday.

“Considering that April 1 is a Saturday and, for this reason, as in all occasions when the grant payment date falls over a weekend, Sassa pay points will NOT open [sic],” the DSD said.

Instead, next Monday Sassa pay points would be operating normally and grant recipients were advised to go on their allocated day to their allocated pay point as indicated on their slips last month.

“Special focus and provision will be made for the busiest merchants and ATMs around the country. “Regional executive managers will be deployed to monitor and assist beneficiaries,” a statement read.

“The department emphasises that normal business processes will continue, so any form of lapsing or suspensions that may occur may NOT imply a failure to pay by Sassa [sic].”

“The Minister [Dlamini] wishes to reiterate her unreserved apology for the anxiety and fear caused about the uncertainty around the payment of social grants.

“She wished to express her gratitude in advance for the patience and cooperation of South Africa especially the beneficiaries of social grants,” the Sassa statement read.

Dlamini has only until Friday to respond to the Constitutional Court’s demand to explain why she should not pay costs of the application from her own pocket.

The Sassa call centre will be open to assist beneficiaries with all inquiries. The contact number is 0800- 60-10-11.

Social security grants:

• One adult beneficiary may receive three child support grants, a type of grant of which 12 092 183 were paid out in February.
• Furthermore, some recipients of the grant for older persons, disability grant or war veterans’ grant may receive an additional grant-in-aid if they require fulltime care because of physical or mental disability.
• The grant-in-aid of R350 per month was paid out to 161 989 recipients in February. – Africa Check, a non-partisan organisation which promotes accuracy in public debate