SASSA under fire over chaotic grant verification process
The review meant to identify fraudulent beneficiaries is causing mayhem at SASSA offices countrywide as vulnerable people are forced to queue for days to verify their details.
A South African Social Security Agency office in Pretoria. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Political parties across the board have criticised a fraud-prevention review currently being undertaken by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) when it’s severely understaffed.
The review meant to identify fraudulent beneficiaries is causing mayhem at SASSA offices countrywide as vulnerable people are forced to queue for days to verify their details.
Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has, however, appealed to grant beneficiaries to comply, saying SASSA is throwing all its resources at the process.
READ: Tolashe again appeals to those affected by grant payment review to comply
The national treasury has put the agency on strict terms to root out the rot or face money transfers being frozen.
But chairperson of parliament’s social development committee, the Democratic Alliance’s Bridget Masango, said a review of this nature can’t be successful if it’s dependent on other departments whose systems are not in order, and SASSA is 50% understaffed.
"To predicate funding on flawless integration with these databases without providing operational support, or transition measures is setting SASSA up for failure."
The Economic Freedom Fighters’ Paulnita Marais blamed SASSA’s systemic problems on weak systems, poor oversight and political neglect.
"The situation at SASSA is a national disgrace. The social relief of distress grant, meant to provide emergency aid, is now riddled with fraud."
Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana said the verification process was causing panic that people won’t get their grants, and better communication with those affected was needed.