Sassa paid over R150 million to dead beneficiaries

Zulu explained that Sassa collaborates with the Department of Home Affairs to validate deceased data and conducts monthly checks to verify the life status of beneficiaries before generating payments. Despite these efforts, there were 32,920 cases of wrongful payments in the 2021-22 financial year, which decreased to 26,512 in the following year and further to 15,204 in the 2023-24 financial year. The minister emphasized that payments are made only to beneficiaries confirmed to be alive based on validation outcomes.

To prevent the withdrawal of social grant funds, Sassa freezes the accounts of deceased beneficiaries through Post Bank and follows up with a letter to the next of kin, urging them to return the money. In cases where withdrawals have already occurred, a Sassa debt recovery process is initiated. Meanwhile, the Auditor-General discovered that 5,812 civil servants continued receiving R350 social relief of distress grants while already drawing salaries from the government.

Additionally, 33,833 public servants had their social grants lapsed and were referred to the fraud and compliance unit for further investigation. Zulu revealed that these recipients had violated Section 21 of the Social Assistance Act by providing untrue information or continuing to receive social assistance despite changes in their standard of living. She disclosed that 5,812 civil servants benefited from the Covid-19 social relief of distress grant between May and October 2020, potentially qualifying through misrepresentation.

In response to questions from DA MP Mimmy Gondwe, Zulu stated that only 36 public servants have faced consequences for receiving grants they did not qualify for. A total of 1,815 cases have been referred to the South African Police Service for criminal investigation for contravening Section 21 of the Social Assistance Act. However, Zulu did not disclose the amount recovered from public servants who irregularly received social grants.

Criticism of Sassa's performance came from DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Social Development Dan Plato, who expressed concern about the agency's deterioration under the ANC national government. Plato highlighted the failures in providing support to vulnerable citizens and called for a change in leadership, stating that the ANC has become out of touch with the struggles of the people.

Source: IOL