Leave our social grants alone
Many pensioners and other social grant beneficiaries are victims of unlawful deductions on a monthly basis, leaving them desperate and struggling to survive.
ALBERTON- Every month when Mr. Steyn from Southdale goes to draw his pension, R200 is missing. If you are earning R1 370 a month, this is an enormous amount.
The SASSA media spokesperson responded as follows: “According to our records, Mr Steyn’s reduced social grant is as a result of air time and electricity deductions. We have arranged with him to visit our Roodepoort Local Office to lodge a dispute, so that a refund is facilitated accordingly.”
Mr. Steyn never authorised these deductions or requested them. So who is stealing his money every month? And if they are not in the wrong, why agree to a refund?
The investigating Ministerial task team submitted a report in August 2014 stating that since the contract to pay social grants was awarded to Cash Payment Services (CPS), a NET 1 subsidiary, the number of debit deductions from grant beneficiaries have increased significantly. These deductions are made from the SASSA-branded Grindrod bank accounts into which grants are paid.
Trying to recover the money stolen out their pension fund has cost For Mr. Steyn a great deal of time, petrol money and airtime. This presents an even bigger financial challenge for pensioners living in rural areas.
The Department of Social Development designed the new payment system specifically to protect the poor and vulnerable, but Minister Bathabile Dlamini admits that she has received numerous complaints regarding unauthorised debits and deductions.
During one of his many phone calls to SASSA Mr. Steyn was told that someone is buying airtime with his social grant, and even provided him with the cellphone number. The number is always on voice mail.
After making a statement at the police in Mondeor and submitting it to SASSA, Mr. Steyn is waiting for the promised refund he dearly needs.
If you struggle to find help at your local SASSA offices, contact the Black Sash Helpline on 072 663 3739 or help@blacksash.org.za for more information.
