To download the soundbite of the Chairperson, Ms Bridget Masango click here: https://iono.fm/e/1495166
Parliament, Wednesday, 23 October 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Social Development wants the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, to conduct an investigation into the weaknesses identified in the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant application and payment system. These weaknesses have created a loophole that enabled fraudsters to illegally apply for and receive the grant using the ID numbers of unsuspecting South African citizens.
The committee this morning received a briefing from Mr Joel Cedras and Mr Veer Gosai, first-year University of Stellenbosch students. The two students identified vulnerabilities in the SRD grant application and payment system through an informal on-campus survey they conducted after they realised that they were unable to apply for the grant. The system reported that they had already applied for and received the grant, even though they did not apply for this grant nor receive any payments. The students emphasised that they had conducted the survey and published their findings out of concern that the fraud in the system robbed the poor and vulnerable, particularly the youth, out of the social protection they need.
Minister Tolashe and members of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development praised Mr Cedras and Mr Gosai’s bravery in coming out with their findings, which they view in a very serious light. Committee members pointed out that they had raised these challenges with SASSA and the department on several occasions over the years. Other members of the public had also alerted SASSA to this challenge but no action was taken. These weaknesses in the system exclude deserving people from applying for the grant, committee members acknowledged.
Due to the seriousness of the students’ findings, the committee resolved to give the department and SASSA 30 days to conduct a full investigation into the matter and to thereafter present a detailed report to the committee, as per the request of the Minister. “As public representatives responsible for overseeing the Department of Social Development and SASSA, it is important that we ensure these allegations are investigated and SASSA is given an opportunity to respond to the allegations,” said the committee Chairperson, Ms Bridget Masango.
The committee welcomed the commitment from Minister Tolashe to initiate an investigation into the matter. It recommended that SASSA should conduct vulnerability assessments and testing of the SRD grant system to ensure that weaknesses are addressed.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, MS BRIDGET MASANGO.
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Email: fndenze@parliament.gov.za
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