Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
19 September 2023 | 11:00am SAST
1-min read

Picture: EWN

The glitch in the grant payment system interrupted SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) payouts to beneficiaries. Stories have emerged of elderly people having to sleep outside South African post offices and Postbanks due to the issue. Radio Islam International interviewed Esther Padi, the national coordinator of RISE Mzansi, to discuss the matter.

According to reports, a significant number of grant recipients, numbering at least 100 000, have yet to receive their much-needed funds. The money, intended to cover essential expenses like transportation, remains unpaid, leaving vulnerable individuals in dire straits.

This issue, Padi argues, is not a recent development and stems from what she calls the “unlawful awarding of social distribution contracts” to cash payment services. These contracts have consistently resulted in distribution chaos, leaving beneficiaries frustrated and financially strained.

Reports indicate that 95% of grant recipients have been paid. However, Padi’s research reveals that many individuals received only partial payments. Desperate to cover their basic needs, some even turned to loan sharks, exacerbating their financial difficulties.

Moreover, political interference in these distribution processes has compounded the problem. Padi laments the fact that leaders fail to reach out to those in need but appear on television and issue media statements. Beneficiaries feel neglected, with no one offering apologies for the inconvenience caused.

Another concerning development is the inability to process grants efficiently. Padi reveals that some SASSA SRD grant applications have been pending for over a month, with the funds eventually being returned to the Treasury.

SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) has offered little in the way of solutions or information to grant recipients. They have indicated that they have received a letter from Postbank with assurances that the glitch will be resolved by October.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat here.