Black Sash urges SASSA & Dept of Social Development to pause reviews until better communication strategies in place
In April, SASSA announced scheduled payment delays to targeted social grants beneficiaries who need to visit local offices to confirm changes in their financial circumstances.
FILE: Queues for social grants in Kuyasa, Cape Town. Beneficiaries of the Social Relief of Distress Grant are struggling with identity verification processes. Picture: Mary-Anne Gontsana/GroundUp
CAPE TOWN - Human rights organisation Black Sash is urging the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development to pause further reviews until better communication strategies are in place.
The call comes as grant recipients in Cape Town’s CBD have been waiting in long queues, hoping to submit forms to clear them as valid, deserving recipients.
In April, SASSA announced scheduled payment delays to targeted social grants beneficiaries who need to visit local offices to confirm changes in their financial circumstances.
READ: CT SASSA grant recipients left frustrated after having to queue in cold, wet conditions
Approximately 210,000 social grant beneficiaries were flagged to be receiving income that was not truthfully disclosed.
Last Monday, Sassa CEO Themba Matlou briefed recipients and media members on the review process and its importance.
Spokesperson for Black Sash, Oliver Meth, said they were calling on SASSA to commit to working with civil society organisations to improve outreach and support mechanisms.
"Ensure that SASSA staff have been trained and have the requisite capacity to implement the review process at its local offices, and also to publish clear criteria for review selection and provide beneficiaries with accessible avenues to challenge the decisions."