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The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has assured social grant beneficiaries that they will receive payments for October following developments, which potentially could affect payments for September.
It is important to know that the contract between Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) and Sassa expires at the end of September.
According to Sassa, CPS which is a Net1 subsidiary, is currently responsible for paying less than 10% of beneficiaries for September.
The expiry of the contract would see all social grant payments made by Sassa in partnership with the South African Post Office (Sapo) starting October.
Assurance also followed the ruling by the Constitutional Court to dismiss – with no costs – the Sassa application for an order declaring the actions of CPS as contempt of court.
Paseka Letsatsi, Sassa spokesperson, said the agency applied to Concourt, after CPS and other Net1 company employees had been reported by community members for disruptive behaviour at its pay points.
“In phasing out CPS at the end of September, Sassa will be in full compliance with directions of the Constitutional Court and there will be no need to ask for another extension. Sassa has already paid over six billion rands to 92% of its beneficiaries for the September cycle, which is a clear sign that government will manage to insource the service of grant payments from October going forward,” he said.
Letsatsi said transactions have largely taken place at merchants through Point of Sale (Pos) devices and over the counter at post office outlets.
“Withdrawals from bank ATMs have reduced significantly during this month (only 10%), as compared to August. At the moment the bulk of outstanding payments are the ones done in cash at Sassa.
“Pay points will be finished in record time. Beneficiaries should ensure that by the end of September, they have acquired the new Sassa card because the old one is expiring in September 2018.
“The new Sassa card is an improvement of the old card and it does not allow deductions for things such as airtime, loans or prepaid electricity, among others.
“This new card also allows three free cash withdrawals at points of sale, one free withdrawal at the post office per month, and free swipes at points of sale and accepted by all ATMs displaying the Visa sign,” said Letsatsi.
Beneficiaries who wish to query anything related to their grants can call Sassa toll-free on
080-060-1011.
