Parliament's Social Development committee slams SASSA for failing beneficiaries
Members of Parliament also called for greater consequence management against SASSA management.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development Bridget Masango. Picture: X.com/HealthSocClust
CAPE TOWN - Parliament's Social Development committee chairperson, Bridget Masango, has slammed the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) for failing the people it's supposed to support.
Masango and members of the National Assembly were debating ongoing fraud and corruption at the SASSA and its failure to protect the most vulnerable.
Members of Parliament (MPs) also called for greater consequence management against SASSA management.
SASSA came under the spotlight for a second day running in parliament with a debate into rampant fraud at the entity.
READ: MPs want urgent probe into fraud claims related to R350 SRD grant
MPs said the agency is synonymous with fraud with issues like paying deceased beneficiaries and double payments.
Masango said leadership failed to ensure certain controls are in place.
"SASSA failed to enforce compliance with legislation and failed to regularly review and update SASSA's risk register, and in so doing, SASSA is failing the very people they exist to serve," Masango said.
Meanwhile, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe said SASSA is fighting against the fraud.
"We've already made investment in advanced technologies and data analytics to detect fraudulent activities."
Tolashe added that a decision has also been taken to find what she calls “alternative payments” of grants.