A growing number of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant beneficiaries are reporting unauthorised deductions from their monthly pension payments, with one Alberton resident sharing their complaint of R165 being taken each month.
This issue, however, appears to be more widespread, affecting many recipients of government grants.
In response to these complaints, the Alberton Record has reached out to official departments for clarification, but the reasons behind these deductions remain unclear.
Many affected beneficiaries are unaware of who is making the deductions or why.
To assist those impacted, experts have outlined a clear process for stopping unwanted deductions.
Beneficiaries can take the following steps to resolve the issue:
Send an SMS to Q-link
Text 34548 with your ID number, full name(s) and surname, the name of the Financial Service Provider (FSP) responsible for the deductions, the duration of the policy, and the reason for disputing the deduction (e.g., “I did not authorise the company or have any contract with the company”).
Identify the source of deductions
If you’re unsure who is making the deductions, you can inquire by calling the SASSA helpline at 080 060 1011 or by visiting your nearest SASSA office for assistance.
The widespread nature of this issue raises concerns about the transparency of deductions and the impact it has on vulnerable pensioners.
While SASSA is working to address these concerns, affected beneficiaries are urged to take action to stop these unauthorised charges.
