SASSA judgment expected today
The Constitutional Court is expected to hand down judgment in the grants debacle involving the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
Non-governmental organisation Black Sash filed an urgent application to the court, with arguments heard on Wednesday.
Black Sash wants the court to play an oversight role in the payment of social grants, while there is still uncertainty over how beneficiaries will receive their grants, or if they'll receive it at all come April 1.
The Constitutional Court found in 2014 that the contract between Sassa and Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) was unlawful.
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That contract lapses at the end of this month, but Sassa has asked the court to extend the contract for another 18 months. CPS has indicated in an affidavit to the Constitutional Court that it wants a 6.6 percent fee increase to continue paying grants.
The issue is being described by opposition parties as a crisis, but President Jacob Zuma denied this while answering questions in the National Assembly yesterday.
"We deeply regret the current situation. We will ensure that there is never again any apprehension with regards to the payment of social grants to our people," Zuma said.
Judgement is expected at 10:00 this morning.