Double Sassa grants payments must be returned

Image via: flickr

Sassa grant beneficiaries who were paid twice must pay back the money

Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu also apologised to those Sassa grant beneficiaries who did not receive their money.

Double Sassa grants payments must be returned

Image via: flickr

Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu said South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant beneficiaries that were paid twice must pay back the money. 

In an interview on Radio 702, on Tuesday 5 May, Zulu apologised to those beneficiaries who did not receive their money but as for those beneficiaries who received double pay, Zulu said it must be returned. 

This comes after Sassa experienced some major technical difficulties on Monday 4 May as far as payouts were concerned. 

SASSA BENEFICIARIES MUST PAY BACK THE MONEY  

Sassa’s handout of grants got off to a shaky start on Monday. Many pensioners, in different parts of the country, had to return home with no money after waiting in queues for hours. 

“I want to apologise to the South Africans who ended up being frustrated by not receiving their money, we are doing the best that we can do,” said Zulu. 

Glitches at certain pay points also included double payments in some instances. According to Sassa, about 83% of the beneficiaries scheduled to be paid on Monday got double pay-outs because of the error in the Western Cape.

In this regard, Zulu said: “The bottom line is that with those that received double payments must return the money.” 

In order to curb the spread of the virus, Sassa spread out payments. It, therefore, said the elderly and those with disabilities could collect their monies on Monday 4 May and Tuesday 5 May, while child grants and care dependency grants would be paid out on Wednesday 6 May. 

Despite the glitches in the Sassa system, Zulu said the department would be ready to action countless grants come 15 May. 

“We’re working around the clock to make sure that the money kicks in on the 15th to those who have made applications,” said Zulu. 

DA TO MEET LINDIWE ZULU IN COURT 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be taking Zulu to court for deciding to keep Sassa offices closed during the lockdown. 

The DA argues that Sassa beneficiaries are expected to access their grants via online platforms, which many of them, ironically, do not have access to. 

Shadow minister for SASSA Bridget Masango said: “The DA’s lawyers will now launch a court application to compel the government to open Sassa offices. The Minister has failed to do the right thing. With the announcement of the special R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant, Sassa would’ve no doubt experienced increased pressure on its limited resources during this time.”

“The DA has continuously requested the opening of SASSA offices to assist vulnerable people during the global health crisis. And time and again the Minister has ignored not only the pleas of the Party, but she also seems deaf to the cries of desperation sounding in the streets,” she added.