SASSA grant collections

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula announced that he would relax public transport regulations to accommodate social grant beneficiaries in order to give them easier access in collecting their money.

Buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 05:00 to 20:00 as from today (March 30) until Friday (April 3).

Grant recipients are required to carry their identity documents and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cards when travelling on public transport, to assist law enforcement efforts.

Thousands of locals from Heidelberg and Nigel rushed to various pay points in order to receive their social grants.

HERAUT visited some of these locations to monitor social distancing and hygiene practice. At Pick n Pay in Heidelberg long queues of people piled up in the early morning hours of March 30. The security company on site had a hard time ensuring that grant recipients maintain a one metre distance.

In Nigel at the Post Office a few social grant beneficiaries obeyed the law and maintained social distance. “It is important for the general public not to abuse the relaxed transport regulations.

“We specifically made exceptions for social grant beneficiaries to receive their money and do their shopping during this time. Let us allow them the opportunity to do so,” Mbalula added.

Members of the public who are not receiving social grants should avoid going shopping during this week. Long queues and limited public access makes for lengthy waiting periods.