POLOKWANE – The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has warned the public about an online scam doing the rounds that targets the vulnerable in our society.
The message reads that you can now apply for a food parcel voucher online.
“Check this out, Sassa is giving out food parcel vouchers again as it showed on TV, register your name now. I have received mine,” reads the message
The message instructs the public to click on the below link to register.
Sassa CEO Busisiwe Memela-Khambula warns residents to not follow the instructions given on a poster currently being circulated on social media. “The poster claims that you can apply for social relief of distress electronically. This is not true because in order to apply, you have to visit a local Sassa office,” she emphasised in a statement on Monday, July 19.
Sassa currently provides vouchers for social relief instead of food parcels. “The relief is provided as part of the standard social relief of distress programme administered by Sassa in terms of the Social Assistance Act. The criteria states that if you are already in receipt of a grant, you do not qualify for social relief of distress, and an application, supported by documentary evidence, is required for each person requiring support,” said Memela-Khambula.
Residents can visit their local Sassa office to apply for the vouchers. “The vouchers are redeemable at selected service providers,” the CEO said.
Meanwhile, the Cash in Transit (CIT) services that were suspended last week due to unrest, will resume from today at Sassa cash paypoints.
“The situation is now relatively under control and new payment dates have been circulated to affected beneficiaries, especially in rural areas,” she concluded.
