Parliament, Friday, 17 March 2017 – The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) welcomes the Constitutional Court judgement on the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) contract.

The Constitutional Court judgement resolves the grant payment crisis that was facing the country and gives practical guidance on the temporary contract to be worked out with CPS.

Scopa is also happy with the order on the protection of the personal data of grant recipients, which has been abused by CPS for commercial benefit. Scopa is looking forward to hearing from the Minister of Social Development on why she should not be held personally liable for the cost of these proceedings, which could have been avoided had she done her job.

As Scopa, we salute the meticulous and informed manner in which the judges have handled the matter. They vindicated Scopa in almost all aspects of our argument that this was a deliberately self-created crisis.

Scopa would like to acknowledge and thank civil society organisations that took up this matter with the Constitutional Court in the interests of the most vulnerable in society. Scopa wishes to encourage this kind of active citizenry in the interest of the majority.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF SCOPA, MR THEMBA GODI 

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