Agency CEO Temba Matlou says SASSA social grants will be paid as usual this week. And that beneficiaries have no need to panic. But what exactly is he worried about?
SASSA social grants are paid out each month to roughly 28-million residents, which equates to a staggering 45% of the population. However, the agency has instigated new biometric enrolment from this month onwards. As well as more stringent income verification policies.
CALLS FOR CALM OVER SASSA SOCIAL GRANTS
Nevertheless, Matlou took to Twitter/X late last month, asking for calm over SASSA social grants. A move which, arguably, only enflamed concerns over the agency’s smooth running till the end of the year.
Specifically, the SASSA CEO was addressing the agency’s troubled relationship with Postbank. He explained that it is just one of the many banks it partners with.
MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENT
Postbank is still associated with SASSA through the Master Service Agreement. Although, the concern is that two million recipients of SASSA social grants will be left high and dry if this agree dissolves, which looks imminent.
As The South African reported earlier this year, there was widespread chaos when millions queued to upgrade SASSA gold cards to black cards. The SA Post Office was completely unprepared, and the task was eventually abandoned.
NO LOSS OF WELFARE
Nevertheless, Matlou insists that: “It is business as usual for SASSA social grants. We can emphatically state that no eligible beneficiary will lose their grant, irrespective of changes with our partners. The agency views Postbank like all other banks, and we are working tirelessly to safeguard the welfare of our clients,” concluded Matlou.
HAVE YOU HAD TROUBLE WITH YOUR SASSA SOCIAL GRANTS THIS MONTH?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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