Brakpan pensioners are being warned against allowing retailers to withhold their SASSA cards over outstanding debts.

This comes after Charmaine van Heerden, chairperson of the Brakpan branch of Solidariteit Helpende Hand, raised concerns with the Brakpan Herald about stores allegedly taking pensioners’ cards and, in some cases, identity documents until repayment is made from their grant payments.

The claim is that pensioners owe money for groceries and necessities they obtain from these stores and promise to pay back later, at which time their SASSA cards and, reportedly, their identity documents are taken into the store owners’ possession.

The owners then give the card back only after they have withdrawn the owed amount on the day SASSA payments take effect.

ALSO CHECK: Brakpan illegal mining raid nets 22 suspects, equipment

Lungelo Mkamba, senior manager of communication and marketing for the SASSA Gauteng Region, says this is illegal and constitutes several serious crimes.

“From a legal perspective, no retailer, lender, shop owner, or any other third party has the legal right to keep a beneficiary’s SASSA card, retain it as security for a debt, or use it to withdraw money on behalf of the beneficiary.

“Such conduct may constitute fraud, theft, financial exploitation, intimidation, or another criminal offence, depending on the circumstances of the case,” he said.

“Beneficiaries are also reminded that pledging their social grants in exchange for goods, credit, or loans is unlawful and may amount to the misuse of a social grant.

ALSO CHECK: VIDEO: Brakpan remembers a ‘gentle giant’ of the justice system

“The legal position is governed primarily by the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act No. 13 of 2004). Section 19 of the Act provides that a social grant must be used only for the benefit of the approved beneficiary,” he explained.

Section 20 of the Act places restrictions on the transfer, cession, and control of a social grant. A social grant may not be transferred, ceded, pledged, or controlled by another person except in very limited circumstances provided for by law.

This means that no retailer, money lender, employer, family member, or any other third party may lawfully take possession of a beneficiary’s SASSA card, keep the card as security, retain the beneficiary’s PIN, or exercise control over the beneficiary’s grant funds.

Only the approved beneficiary, or a person lawfully authorised in terms of the applicable legal framework, may access and use the grant for the beneficiary’s benefit.

“SASSA strongly advises beneficiaries never to surrender their SASSA cards or disclose their PINs to any individual under any circumstances. The card and PIN provide direct access to the beneficiary’s grant funds and must be safeguarded at all times,” Mkamba said.

What to do when your card is being held by a third party:

• Where a beneficiary’s SASSA card is being withheld, retained, or controlled by another person, the beneficiary should immediately report the matter to the
  nearest SASSA office for assistance.
• If there are indications of fraud, theft, intimidation, extortion, financial exploitation, or any other criminal conduct, the matter should also be reported to the SAPS for investigation.
• Beneficiaries who believe that their card or PIN has been compromised should contact SASSA immediately through the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or visit the nearest SASSA office so that appropriate measures can be taken to protect their grant and ensure continued access to their social assistance.

“SASSA remains committed to protecting beneficiaries from fraud, exploitation, and abuse, and encourages members of the public to report any suspicious activities involving social grants,” Mkamba explained.

“Our communication and awareness campaigns consistently emphasise the message: ‘Do not give your SASSA card or PIN to anyone. Protect your card, protect your PIN, and protect your grant money’.”