‘No grants suspended or halted’ – Sassa CEO
Themba Matlou, the CEO of the South African Social Security Agency, has assured qualifying beneficiaries that they will receive their grants despite the agency's review process.
Political parties have slated the social security agency for undertaking the fraud prevention process while it is severely understaffed.
Affected beneficiaries have reported waiting in queues for days while waiting to be verified.
Matlou was addressing the media in Pretoria on Monday morning.
“We’ve introduced a fourth payment date to our payment schedule, where beneficiaries targeted for a review are paid on the fourth day. This will ensure they receive their payment, after the necessary review, without prejudicing the general payment cycle for others,” he explained.
More than 200,000 beneficiaries have been flagged for possible additional income and have been given notice to verify their profiles within three months or risk losing their grant.
“The agency has noted with concern the recent public outcry and confusion regarding social grant payments. We appreciate the importance of social grants to millions of South Africans and wish to take this opportunity to clarify the situation.
“Section 14(5) of the Social Assistance Act requires beneficiaries to notify SASSA of any material change in their circumstances, including financial, marital, as soon as reasonably possible. This obligation is also stated in the approval letter each beneficiary receives,” Matlou said.
However, the CEO admits that the communication was not effective.
Matlou's called on those who have not been paid to approach their nearest branch office, as the law doesn't allow the agency to suspend payment immediately.
“SASSA would like to categorically state that no social grant payments have been suspended or halted. All approved grants remain valid, and payments continue to be processed. Any beneficiary with an active and valid grant remains entitled to receive their payment.”
The review of social grants helps identify beneficiaries who may no longer qualify due to changes in their financial, medical, or legal circumstances and serves as a confirmation of life or existence, ensuring that grants are not paid out to deceased individuals or those who have relocated without updating their records.
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