Students who exposed SASSA payment system weaknesses want govt to reboot grant system
The two first-year IT students, Joel Cedras and Veer Gosai, briefed the Social Development Committee on Wednesday on how easy it is to defraud the system when applying for the R350 SRD grant.
Picture: Barbara Maregele/GroundUp
CAPE TOWN - Two students who exposed weaknesses in the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) payment system have called on government to restart the entire grant system.
The two first-year IT students, Joel Cedras and Veer Gosai, briefed the Social Development Committee on Wednesday on how easy it is to defraud the system when applying for the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
Members of Parliament (MPs) have now called on SASSA to urgently investigate the findings presented by the two students.
SASSA was summoned to Parliament to account following the allegations of fraudulent activity on the SRD application system.
The students discovered that SASSA's SRD computer system had weaknesses and allows anyone to apply using ID numbers fraudulently.
One of the students, Joel Cedras, said it was too easy to defraud the system.
"We feel that it is simply too easy at the moment to apply for the SRD grant, and this enables fraudsters to apply very easily."
The two recommended that the system must be rebooted.
"By restarting the whole grant system, it allows for SASSA to reverify everyone but with stricter verification processes in order to combat fraud."
Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe commended the students’ bravery for coming forward, saying SASSA must take "drastic steps" to investigate the matter fully.