From 01 April, electronic payments of social grants will be paid through South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Postbank, commercial banks and merchants.
Chairperson of the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Comprehensive Social Security, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said that the cash payment will continue to be paid by Cash Paymaster Service (CPS) for the next six months ending 30 September 2018.
This follows the Constitutional Court judgment of 23 March 2018, which suspended the invalidity of SASSA’s contract with CPS for cash payments for six months.
Dr Dlamini Zuma welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court, adding that the committee will ensure that the instructions of the court are adhered to.
“We are a caring government and social grants will continue to be paid to the correct beneficiaries with minimum disruptions. The provision of social grants to our most vulnerable members of society, cushions them against the harsh reality of the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality,” Dr Dlamini Zuma said.
The National Development Plan identifies social protection as key in developing the future we envisage by 2030, she added.
The IMC reviewed the state of readiness of SASSA and the SA Post Office to pay social grants and were pleased with the progress made.
During a meeting held on Wednesday, the IMC resolved to interact directly with beneficiaries by visiting pay points and post offices over the next six months, starting next week.
The MECs responsible for social development have also been mobilised to visit pay points in their provinces.
“We encourage beneficiaries who have Personal Identity Number (PIN) to use electronic payment options instead of going to cash pay points,” Minister Dlamini Zuma said.
Government reiterated its commitment to pay social grants, as directed and the social assistance programme is at the heart of government’s poverty alleviation programme which is central to restoring the dignity of citizens.
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