SASSA crisis: NUMSA joins the chorus of condemnation
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) says the Sassa crisis is proof the ANC hates the poor and the working class.
Spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi, says the brewing crisis surrounding the grant payment system is "self-made" and "intentional."
"The Department of Social Development which is tasked with taking care of the most vulnerable members of society is showing us that it simply doesn't care about the majority of the people in our country," Hlubi says.
She says there is no clarity whether or not 17 million South Africans will receive their social grant payments at the beginning of April.
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The Constitutional Court ruled the current payment system irregular and invalid in 2014.
One of the options available to the Social Development department - was to develop its own payment system.
"With less than a month to go, the department still has not yet done this, and no one has been awarded with a contract to do the work. To make matters worse, it is fighting very hard to ensure that the same company, CPS, continues to benefit from a fraudulent contract," Numsa says.
President Jacob Zuma met with the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan as well as Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, to try and resolve the matter that could see millions of people go without their social grants.
"This government is willing to risk the lives of millions of people because of corruption. It's is clear that the Department of Social Development deliberately dragged its feet in resolving this issue," Numsa says.