Western Cape Department of Social Development calls on SASSA to stop illegal social grant deductions
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has requested the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to urgently investigate reports of unauthorized deductions of grants at the Mitchells Plain payout point.
This comes after members of the public reported missing money and alleged fraudulent activity at the paypoint this morning. DSD has reported the matter to SASSA.
We continue to call on the public to be vigilant, and for them to not give out their account pin numbers and details. In addition, Western Cape MEC of Social Development, Adv. Albert Fritz, has written to the National MEC of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, requesting urgent action to stop the illegal deductions experienced by social grant recipients.
Residents of the Western Cape continue to fall victim to illegal and unauthorised deductions from the social grants. Since the beginning of this year the Ministry has already received 19 complaints related to illegal deductions, and to date has dealt with and assisted with 626 cases since 2010.
It must always be borne in mind that social grant recipients are the poorest of the poor, and are people from the most vulnerable segments of our society. To have any money missing from their grants has serious implications for their day-to-day basic needs, such as food. These illegal deductions often reflect as being for “airtime” or “electricity vouchers”, which clients never receive.
Enquiries:
MEC Albert Fritz
Cell: 083 307 0192
Sihle Ngobese
Spokesperson for Albert Fritz, MEC of Social Development
Tel: (021) 483 9217
Cell: 076 083 6543
Email: Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za
