JOHANNESBURG – The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the South Africa Post Office (Sapo) have finally signed an agreement to facilitate implementation of a new social grants payment system from 1 April 2018.
This comes after months of negotiations between the two institutions in a bid to improve the payment of social grants around the country.
Sapo will be taking over the payment of grants from the Cash Paymaster Services, which allegedly failed to strategize and implement better methods in improving the payment of grants.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) have greatly welcomed the agreement and believes Sapo would not inconvenience millions of South Africans who depends on social grants.
DA spokeswoman Bridget Masango says, “It is very encouraging that the proposed hybrid model will also involve the use of payment platforms incorporating banks, commercial retailers, and small businesses.”
She added that the DA party fully welcomes the phasing out of the cash payments as well as the building of an inclusive financial system.
She went further to attack Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini’s attempts to “stonewall” the negotiations between Sapo and Sassa, saying it shows her inability to effectively lead the social development department.
The DA has called for the deal between Sassa and Sapo to be tabled in Parliament as soon as possible.
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