logo
Sassa payments delayed due to review process

Sassa payments delayed due to review process

The Citizen2 days ago
Several Pietermaritzburg residents were unable to collect their South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grants on Wednesday due to a review process targeting beneficiaries suspected of having undisclosed income.
According to an article published by The Witness, Sassa said payments have not been suspended, but reviews are being conducted to ensure that only eligible individuals receive grants.
When The Witness visited payout points yesterday, some beneficiaries said they were advised to wait before checking their accounts.
'I have received my payout as my details are correct. We are shocked that there are people among us who are dishonest and getting extra money, while we are in need,' said one beneficiary, who asked not to be named.
Lower Northdale Ward Councillor Rooksana Ahmed sent out a notice informing beneficiaries that they should check again with their respective banks the following day, due to the review.
In a statement, Sassa said it is reviewing the eligibility of targeted beneficiaries who may have other income sources not disclosed at the time of their application.
'These targeted beneficiaries are expected to present themselves at a Sassa local office where their eligibility will be reviewed. Those who fail to comply may face suspension of their grants. Continued non-compliance may result in permanent cancellation,' the agency said.
Sassa emphasised that beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all income sources during the application process and report any changes in financial circumstances thereafter.
Sassa national spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said failure to comply with these rules is a violation of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 and may lead to corrective action.
'Sassa has undertaken a review of its database and processes to root out fraud and ensure grants go to eligible recipients. Reviews are focused on those active in the labour market, especially where income exceeds the means threshold and was not declared,' said Letsatsi.
He added that no grants have been suspended at this stage. 'Only the payment schedule has been amended for those asked to undergo the review.'
Letsatsi said Sassa is concerned that many clients do not update their contact details, which causes missed notifications. A second payment date has been issued for those under review, but if no contact is made within two months, the grant will be suspended. Beneficiaries will then have one month to respond before the grant is permanently cancelled. A fraud investigation may follow.
Sassa urged all beneficiaries to declare any additional income or bank accounts and to replace green ID books with smart ID cards due to the risk of fraud.
For more information, contact Sassa on 0800 60 1011 or email [email protected].
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on witness.co.za
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Update: Woman who allegedly jumped from Atterbury bridge in Pretoria dies
Update: Woman who allegedly jumped from Atterbury bridge in Pretoria dies

The Citizen

time9 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Update: Woman who allegedly jumped from Atterbury bridge in Pretoria dies

Update: Woman who allegedly jumped from Atterbury bridge in Pretoria dies The elderly woman who was rushed to hospital in critical condition this morning after allegedly jumping from the Atterbury bridge onto the N1 southbound in Pretoria died shortly after arriving at hospital. Pretoria Rekord reports that, according to the Volunteer Emergency Medical Response Unit (VEMRU), the woman allegedly jumped just before 11:00. 'On arrival, VEMRU assisted private ambulance services in stabilising the woman, who sustained critical injuries in the fall. She was transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.' VEMRU said SAPS was also on scene. A reliable source has since confirmed to Pretoria Rekord that the woman passed away shortly after being admitted to the hospital. Paul Visser from the Pretoria ICE Community Network said traffic on the N1 southbound was heavily backed up for hours due to the incident. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Update: Critically injured woman hospitalised after allegedly jumping from Atterbury bridge in Pretoria
Update: Critically injured woman hospitalised after allegedly jumping from Atterbury bridge in Pretoria

The Citizen

time10 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Update: Critically injured woman hospitalised after allegedly jumping from Atterbury bridge in Pretoria

Update: Critically injured woman hospitalised after allegedly jumping from Atterbury bridge in Pretoria An elderly woman was rushed to the hospital in critical condition this morning after she allegedly jumped from the Atterbury bridge onto the N1 southbound in Pretoria, causing a serious incident that brought traffic to a standstill. Pretoria Rekord reports that, according to the Volunteer Emergency Medical Response Unit (VEMRU), the woman allegedly jumped from the bridge just before 11:00 this morning. 'On arrival, VEMRU assisted private ambulance services in stabilising the woman, who sustained critical injuries in the fall. She was transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.' VEMRU says SAPS was also on scene. Paul Visser from the Pretoria ICE Community Network says traffic on the N1 southbound was heavily backed up for hours due to the incident. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group Suicide Crisis Helpline at 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. Support is available, and you don't have to face it alone. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Could South Africa be ATM-free in a few years?
Could South Africa be ATM-free in a few years?

The South African

time10 hours ago

  • The South African

Could South Africa be ATM-free in a few years?

South Africa's cash landscape is changing fast – and the humble ATM may soon be obsolete. According to a recent assessment by MyBroadband , the country's major banks have collectively slashed over 8 000 ATMs from their networks over the last five years. This marks a steady retreat from physical money, with consumers opting for cards over cash. ATM numbers tell a story The Big Four – Standard Bank, Absa, FNB, and Nedbank – have all dramatically reduced their ATM footprints: Bank 2019 Latest figures Difference Absa 8 656 5 138 -3 518 FNB 5 780 4 770 -1 010 Nedbank 4 257 4 199 -58 Standard Bank 9 321 5 562 -3 759 That's a combined drop of over 8 000 ATMs since 2019. In contrast, however, Capitec is bucking the trend – having expanded its network from 5 011 in 2019 to 8 798 machines, now operating more ATMs than any other bank in South Africa. And this isn't just a local phenomenon. As reported by BusinessTech, a Merchant Machine study shows that countries worldwide are pulling back on ATMs. South Africa has been shedding ATMs at an average annual rate of 2.67% since 2012. At that pace, the country could have zero ATMs left in just 32 years. Well, a few forces are converging to drive this decline. These include: MyBroadBand reported that a joint report by Discovery Bank and Visa found that 84% of South Africans prefer digital payments or cards over cash. 67% use cash only a few times a month or not at all. Among younger consumers, 83% increased their use of digital payments in 2024 compared to 2023. As confidence in digital channels grows, so does the pressure on cash infrastructure. Fewer withdrawals mean less demand for ATMs. The drop in ATM usage is more noticeable among higher-income individuals, the very market that Standard Bank, FNB, Absa, and Nedbank largely serve. As this demographic leans heavily into digital, banks are adapting accordingly. Standard Bank's Kabelo Makeke also explained that the bank has rolled out new-generation ATMs which offer faster service and more features, such as real-time validation, cash recycling, and bulk cash handling. These machines do more with less, allowing banks to reduce total units without hurting service. 'We renewed our ATM network by introducing new technology devices with significantly improved transaction speed and overall quality of service,' Makeke said, as per MyBroadBand . And while they won't vanish overnight, the direction is clear: fewer ATMs, more digital banking. Unless something reverses the current trend, South Africa's ATM-free future may not be a question of if , but when . Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store