Latest news with #R260
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Sassa grants: Here are the July payment dates and amounts
Payments are expected to be made in phases over three days to avoid overcrowding at pay points and ATMs. With half the year over, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced its July payment schedule, which will be welcomed by beneficiaries. Payments are expected to be made in phases over three days to avoid overcrowding at pay points and ATMs. Grants More than 18 million people rely on grants from Sassa, as many households navigate a constrained budget and a tough economic climate in their battle to make ends meet. Sassa revealed the official payment dates for social grants for July 2025, on Monday, along with updated monthly amounts for beneficiaries. Older persons' grants will be paid first, on 2 July Disability grants will be paid on 3 July Children's grants will be paid on 4 July Any other grants linked to these accounts will be paid on the same day as the primary grant. ALSO READ: Ten of 11 accused in Sassa R260 million fraud case granted bail Patience Sassa has also taken the initiative to improve the safety and experience of grant recipients, encouraging beneficiaries to be patient. 'There is no need to rush to withdraw cash on the first day. Once the money is in the account, it will remain there until it is needed,' Sassa said. This approach aims to reduce long queues and ensure smoother distribution processes across all collection points throughout the country. Amounts These are the grant amounts: Old Age Grant – R2 315 War Veterans Grant – R2 335 Disability Grant – R2 315 Care Dependency Grant – R2 315 Foster Child Grant – R1 250 Child Support Grant – R560 Grant-in-Aid – R560 Precautions With the proliferation of online scams and cybercrime on the rise, Sassa urged recipients to remain vigilant against scams and fraud. Beneficiaries have been advised to keep their Sassa cards and PINs secure and never share personal information with anyone. Sassa distributes grants through bank deposits, Sassa/Postbank cards and at selected retail outlets, including Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite and Checkers. ALSO READ: Sassa millions 'heist' in Rosebank underground car park
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Hammarsdale wastewater treatment works delays cost Durban ratepayers R60 million
The Hammarsdale Wastewater Treatment Works' completion date has been delayed over the years, and it is now expected to be completed in November 2026. This has resulted in an additional R60 million cost to the municipality. Image: eThekwini Municipality Ongoing delays by a contractor to improve the infrastructure at Hammarsdale Wastewater Treatment Works have cost eThekwini ratepayers R60 million. The contract for improvements to liquid and solids treatment facilities could be amended again pending approval by a full council committee on Thursday. The completion date was delayed over the years, and the completion is expected in November 2026. The original contract was R200 million, and the revised contract was estimated at R260 million. At an eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on Tuesday, a report from the Trading Services committee noted reasons to amend the contract for the completion of engineering design work and construction supervision for the functional upgrade of the treatment works. In its motivation for the amendment to be approved, the committee stated that the treatment works, located in an industrial zone, are critical to improving plant capacity and supporting further industrial and commercial development. It also said this project has experienced ongoing process compliance issues due to ageing infrastructure, thus requiring critical improvements. The project was originally scheduled to be finalised in February 2020, but various delays were experienced, resulting in extensions being granted: February 25, 2020, revised to January 9, 2023, due to Covid-19-related days. January 9, 2023, to June 21, 2025, due to delays in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) process and an insufficient budget allocation for this project. June 21, 2025, to May 6, 2026. Completion date revised due to unforeseen technical challenges encountered during construction. June 21, 2025, to November 6, 2026. The committee noted that delays necessitated major amendments to the contract for its completion of construction and commissioning. It placed a public notice advertising the amendment in a local newspaper, stating that no views or comments were received in response. Asad Gaffar, the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM), said these contracts are costing the ratepayers dearly and that this was a clear indication that the municipality did not have the right calibre of personnel in its departments. He said the ERPM will continue to fight for oversight and accountability of infrastructure projects so that ratepayers get value for money.
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mystery debit orders leave bank client without answers
Woman later found she was linked to DebiCheck but insists she never received an authorisation request. A Moneyweb reader recently discovered that two debit orders – totalling nearly R500 a month – had been going off her FNB account since February. The charges were from companies she did not recognise – Legal Cover and Medic Now – deducting R260 and R225 respectively. FNB provided her with the references for the two debit orders — SS-Legcov and SS-Medic. The reader told Moneyweb that she had never had any business dealings with the two companies, nor had she authorised any debit orders linked to them. When she contacted FNB's fraud department, she was advised that the bank could not stop the debit orders and that she would need to cancel the transactions personally. She was also told that the bank could not block future deductions because the reference numbers changed every month, making them difficult to trace. ALSO READ: Reserve bank teaches customers about AC DebiCheck Medic Now and Legal Cover FNB supplied contact numbers for both Medic Now and Legal Cover, which Moneyweb then contacted. After several attempts, Moneyweb was able to reach Sameer Vasta, the legal compliance officer at Medic Now. Medic Now is a private emergency response and evacuation service that provides ambulance transport to the nearest medical facility, a medical advice helpline as well as support in high-risk situations such as fires. The service is marketed as an affordable alternative for individuals who do not have access to traditional medical aid, particularly those living in township areas where state ambulance services may be inadequate or unavailable. Legal Cover is, according to its website, a 'subscription-based protection plan' that provides legal services, including for divorces and traffic fines. ALSO READ: DebiCheck will protect you from unauthorised debit orders come 1 May 22-step verification protocol Vasta told Moneyweb that Medic Now does not conduct direct sales. Instead, the company relies on third-party marketing agencies that approach potential clients in busy public areas such as taxi ranks and shopping malls. These agents use secure devices equipped with DebiCheck functionality, which allows prospective clients to authorise debit orders on the spot. The process, according to Vasta, involves a 22-step verification protocol. He maintains that it is 'technically impossible' for a debit order to be processed unless this process is completed in full and approved by the customer. The Moneyweb reader maintains that she was never approached by any agents selling Medic Now or Legal Cover memberships. She has since discovered the debit orders are linked to DebiCheck, but denies having received any notification from FNB prompting her to personally authorise them. ALSO READ: Challenges and opportunities of becoming a cashless society What is DebiCheck? DebiCheck was introduced in 2017 to combat unauthorised debit orders. Unlike traditional EFT debit orders, DebiCheck requires customers to approve or reject debit order mandates before they are processed. It was rolled out in phases by the Payments Association of South Africa (Pasa), under the guidance of the South African Reserve Bank. Once approved, the mandate is stored and used for future deductions, ensuring the client has authorised the debit in advance. Although not all companies currently use DebiCheck, banks recommend that customers make use of it wherever possible. ALSO READ: FSCA finds banks do not handle consumer complaints properly 'Impulse purchases' In response to the reader's claims, Vasta said that while some clients later claim they did not consent to the deductions, such complaints are often linked to 'impulse purchases'. 'It sounds good and at the end of the month, they realise they can't afford it. They try to cancel it via the bank. And now they say they're not aware of this.' He emphasises that the references on the debit orders in question are indeed DebiCheck-authorised transactions – and that this is likely why clients find it difficult to cancel via their bank. Vasta notes that Medic Now has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud. If any marketing agent is found to have misrepresented the product or the authorisation process, they are dismissed immediately. Vasta adds that while the debit order is initiated by Medic Now, it is only processed once the client has completed the necessary authorisation steps. 'It's authorised by the client – not authorised by us. We cannot do debit orders without the necessary authorisation.' A call to Legal Cover's number (provided by FNB) went unanswered during office hours. When Moneyweb called the same number after hours, the recorded message listed business hours and directed clients to Vasta for urgent legal assistance. Moneyweb later asked Vasta whether Medic Now is affiliated with Legal Cover – the second company deducting funds from the reader's account. He said there was no connection between the companies but confirmed that he is the legal compliance officer for both Medic Now and Legal Cover. Vasta offered to personally assist in cancelling the reader's debit orders. ALSO READ: More to be done to curb rip-offs by banks and insurance companies What banks say Each of South Africa's major banks offers advice and mechanisms to deal with questionable debit orders. FNB FNB notes that there are two types of debit order streams available to service providers: An EFT debit order and a DebiCheck debit order. The service provider chooses which stream to use. Clients can dispute and reverse debit orders via online banking, the FNB app, or cellphone banking. Once reversed, a stop payment can be placed to block further deductions – although this is not always effective. 'Some service providers change the reference to circumvent the stop payment placed by the banks, allowing the debit order to be processed,' says Ravi Shunmugam, CEO of EFT at FNB. He adds that this practice contravenes debit order rules. In cases of alleged fraud, FNB cannot report the fraud directly to the service provider on behalf of the client. The customer must submit the report themselves, including an affidavit, a copy of their ID, and a bank statement. FNB may escalate complaints to the service provider's sponsoring bank if needed. Customers are notified via SMS whenever a new debit order is raised on their account for the first time. If they believe the debit order is unauthorised, they can dispute and reverse it by replying to the SMS or using FNB's digital platforms. FNB also offers functionality through its app, online banking, and cellphone banking that allows clients to view existing debit orders and dispute or stop those under R200. Debit orders exceeding R200 must be disputed via a branch or the call centre. ALSO READ: Gauteng man takes Absa to court over alleged unlawful car repossession Absa Absa uses DebiCheck to ensure clients approve debit orders before they are processed. 'It is key to note that debit orders are agreements between customers and their service providers,' a spokesperson says. Clients can dispute debit orders through the Absa app, in a branch, or via the contact centre. If necessary, the bank's fraud team will assist with reporting the matter to the relevant authorities. ALSO READ: Capitec hit by R56m Sarb financial penalty Capitec Capitec clients can view debit orders via the app or at a branch. According to Asha Patel, head of brand and communications, disputes can be logged digitally or through Capitec's client care centre. If fraud is suspected, an internal investigation is launched, and Capitec may contact the debit originator directly. Patel says the payments industry is transitioning toward a mandate-driven model such as DebiCheck. 'However, some debit order streams rely on legacy processes where banks can request proof of the mandate from the initiating company. Although this introduces complexity, Capitec actively works within industry structures to reduce abuse and enhance client protection.' If a particular company appears in multiple complaints, Capitec escalates the matter through formal industry channels, which may lead to the company's suspension. ALSO READ: Class action suit shows banks sell repossessed houses for cents in the rand Nedbank Nedbank customers can dispute debit orders via the Nedbank Money app or online banking. If fraud is suspected, the matter is escalated to the bank's fraud division for further investigation. Although unauthorised debit orders remain a persistent concern, Nedbank says DebiCheck mandates have helped reduce the number of such cases. The bank monitors transaction trends and flags suspicious originators, reporting them to Pasa and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. Where abuse is confirmed, action may include suspension from the payment system. ALSO READ: Standard Bank glitch: Clients shocked by empty account balances Standard Bank Standard Bank offers three debit order types: traditional EFT debits, DebiCheck, and registered mandates. DebiCheck and registered mandates require customers to confirm mandates digitally before debits are processed, providing greater control. For EFT debits that are deemed suspicious or unauthorised, Standard Bank recommends clients act quickly. The bank can suspend debit orders and reverse previous deductions, provided they fall within a 365-day period. 'In rare cases of fraud, particularly where a client has been the victim of social engineering or their device such as a mobile phone has been compromised, it could result in what would on the face of it look like the actual customer having approved the debit instruction,' the lender notes. Follow Moneyweb's in-depth finance and business news on WhatsApp here.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- The Citizen
10 of 11 accused in Sassa R260 million fraud case granted bail
Shumani Khwerana and his ten co-accused, eight of whom are Sassa officials, face multiple charges. The 11 accused in the R260 million South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraud case. Picture: X/@KayaNews Ten of the 11 accused in the R260 million South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraud case have been released on bail. The accused fraudsters returned to the Lenasia Magistrate's Court, south of Johannesburg, on Thursday to continue their bail application. Bail National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the bail amounts range between R10 000 and R30 000. 'The fourth accused, Ethiopian national Abenezer Tilahyn, was denied bail after the court ruled, he posed a flight risk. The matter has been postponed to 2 September 2025 for further investigation. ALSO READ: 11 accused in Sassa R260 million fraud case to remain behind bars 'As part of the bail conditions, the accused are required to surrender their travel documents and are prohibited from interfering with the ongoing investigation or any state witnesses,' Mjonondwane said. 'No flight risks' Mjonondwane said in considering the bail application, the court reviewed affidavits from the investigating officer, Constable Manana, as well as two affidavits from Mazimela Kubeka, a senior internal investigator at Sassa. 'These documents outlined how the accused were implicated in the alleged crimes. The court found no evidence that the ten accused, excluding Tilahyn, were flight risks or that they would interfere with evidence or the investigation. ALSO READ: Sassa millions 'heist' in Rosebank underground car park 'Sassa confirmed that the implicated employees have been suspended and no longer have access to its systems,' Mjonondwane said. Charges Shumani Khwerana and his ten co-accused, eight of whom are Sassa officials, face multiple charges, including cybercrime, fraud, and theft. Some of the accused who had been previously arrested include Khwerana, Nkhensani Sharon Maluleke, Tshilidzi Ramaphosa and Tilahyn. Fraud scheme The state alleges that the accused are alleged to have orchestrated a sophisticated scheme involving the creation of fake Sassa profiles, from which more than R4 million was allegedly deposited. These profiles were allegedly used to withdraw large sums of money from various Sassa pay points. Mjonondwane said the NPA respects the court's ruling, which marks only a stage in the legal process. 'This development does not deter the NPA's commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency within the public sector,' Mjonondwane said. ALSO READ: 70-year-old Sassa fraudster who stole R100 000 will soon be on trial
eNCA
10-06-2025
- eNCA
11 accused of defrauding Sassa of R260-million back in court
JOHANNESBURG - Eleven suspects linked to the R260 million Sassa fraud case, are back in the Lenasia Magistrate's Court, for their bail application. The group faces over a thousand charges of fraud, related to a multi-million rand card scheme. Seven of the suspects are employed by SASSA, and are accused of creating fake profiles and committing identity fraud. The case was postponed to allow the court to consider additional evidence.
