12 September 2018 | Media Release

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is ready for the October payment cycle in which all social grant payments to beneficiaries will be made by itself in partnership with the South African Post Office (SAPO). Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) which is a Net1 subsidiary is currently responsible for paying less than 10% of beneficiaries this month and its contract ends at the end of September 2018. In phasing out CPS at the end of the month, SASSA will be in full compliance with directions of the Constitutional Court and there will be no need to ask for another extension contrary to what sceptics wrongfully predicted.

With eighteen days to go before the September payment cycle is concluded, SASSA has already paid over six billion rands to 92% of its beneficiaries this month, which is a clear sign that government will manage to insource the service of grant payments from October going forward.

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 paypoints which 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 3 free cash withdrawals at points of sale, one free withdrawal at the post office per month, free swipes at points of sale and accepted by all ATM’s displaying the VISA sign.

These developments coincide with today’s decision of the Concourt to dismiss the SASSA application for an order declaring the actions of CPS as contempt of court. SASSA took this stand after CPS and other Net1 company employees had been reported by community members for disruptive behavior at its paypoints. The court did not award any costs. SASSA however accepts the decision of the Concourt and finds comfort in the fact that the CPS contract is coming to an end this month and that a significant number of beneficiaries have managed to acquire the new gold SASSA card.

Beneficiaries who wish to query anything related to their grants can call SASSA toll free on 0800 60 10 11.

Issued on behalf of SASSA

Media queries: Paseka Letsatsi

SASSA Spokesperson

082 883 9969

04 September 2018 | Media Release

SASSA is confident that the transition of SAPO taking transfer of the payments of social grants on 30 September will be much smoother. As at yesterday, 3 September 2018, SAPO had already paid out social grants to beneficiaries to the value of R4,4 billion, in 7,4 million transactions across the country, for the current payment cycle alone. This compares to R1,0 billion paid out in 2,8 million transactions, when SAPO first started in July.

“We are confident that we will have a smooth transition when SAPO takes over the social grants payments on 30 September, gauging by the progress that they have made thus far both with the migrating social grants beneficiaries to the gold SASSA card and this month’s payments. In particular, the stability of the grants payments systems introduced by SAPO in such a short period of time is impressive given that IT systems generally take longer to achieve performance consistency”,  says Abraham Mahlangu, SASSA CEO.

SAPO will take over the payments  of social grants when the CPS contract ends and its executives are on the ground at various pay-points to address any outstanding issues that require enhancements.

SAPO CEO Mark Barnes says:

“I was however at Jabulani Mall in Soweto yesterday, and there were still some problems with long queues, inadequate seating for the elderly, and isolated system downtime and delays, which I experienced first-hand. SAPO apologises for these circumstances. Following a de-briefing this morning, we have, today, in order to deal with higher volumes at peak times in the payment cycle:

issued a directive across the country to deploy non-critical function employees to branches and pay-points to support beneficiaries and deal with any issues that may arise on the ground, immediately

increased staff capacity at the nerve centre at head office

improved our management information system

deployed further portable computers and cell-phones across SAPO’s national footprint

instructed SAPO branches to remain open after normal office hours, to serve beneficiaries

expanded our relationship with SAPS to increase security; and

improved dignity services.

SAPO is determined to stand up and deliver on its SASSA mandate – expect more from us”.

Furthermore, SAPO staff from our retail, commercial, SCM and operations divisions are being seconded every Friday to the mail centres to sort out the backlog.

The major problem encountered by some of the beneficiaries is forgetting their PIN’s which will necessitate a PIN reset. In case of a PIN reset, a beneficiary has to visit their nearest SASSA office for assistance and thereafter they can be able to access their funds. Beneficiaries can also call 0800 60 10 11 toll free for any type of query.

Issued on behalf of SASSA

Media enquiries: Paseka Letsatsi

082 883 9969