QUEUES stretching for miles outside shops in urban areas and some packed minibus taxis, despite rules against overcrowding, were what pensioners and the disabled who set out to collect their social grants faced on Monday and Tuesday this week.

However, the government said in a media statement, released on Wednesday, 1 April, that the first two days set aside to pay social grants to older persons and persons with disabilities was “on the whole largely successful, despite some challenges in some areas.”

“The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) brought the social grants payment dates forward and set aside 30-31 March 2020 as special days for older persons and persons with disabilities due to the 21-day lockdown implemented to contain and mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa,” said Sandy Godlwana Director: Communication and Marketing at South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) KZN. 

The payment of social grants highlights the importance of providing a safety net for the poor and vulnerable amid what has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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In KZN, SASSA KwaZulu-Natal deployed officials to South African Post Office (SAPO) outlets and retail outlets to monitor payments and ensure that social distancing was been adhered to. However, many people claimed there was no control and crowded queues were seen in Pinetown and Queensburgh.

“Payments commenced in most SAPO outlets and merchant stores by 7.30am.  A total of 195 Post Office outlets across the province were utilised to pay social grants,” said Godlwana in the media statement.

“Generally, at all available retail and SAPO outlets across the province, huge numbers were experienced where beneficiaries were looking to get their payments early. SAPO ensured that they complied with the hygiene standards by ensuring all beneficiaries were sanitised and, in many instances, did adhere to social distancing,” said Godlwana.

Difficulties

“It proved very difficult to maintain the social distancing outside the confines of the Post Offices and at retail outlets especially in queues that snaked along the building,” said Godlwana.

This was aggravated by the fact that people, who had not been earmarked for early grant payments, arrived hoping to get their grants early.

“Many child support recipients presented themselves for payments which further increased numbers and made it difficult to maintain adequate social distancing,” explained Godlwana.

Cash shortages

Some retailers and SAPO outlets ran out of cash before the grants could all be paid.

“By midday, we had an average of about 13 outlets that had completely run out and nine were very low on funds,” said Godlwana.

“This was the order of the day as by midday close on 60 outlets were out of cash.  Shortly thereafter, we also experienced the system going down which was later restored although some reversals were experienced during this time.”

Godlwana did report that some stores went out of their way to help those in the queue.

“Many outlets especially Spar and the Department of Social Development (DSD) provided sandwiches and refreshments to beneficiaries.”

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In Hammarsdale one death occurred among the people waiting to be paid.

Second day

The second of the two earlier payment days went a little smoother with Godlwana reporting Tuesday’s payment of social grants during lockdown was overall, generally good: “SAPO outlets that had not finished their cash yesterday [Monday, 30 March] commenced paying as early as 7am,” she said.

“Those outlets that had “run out” of cash the previous day received cash and prioritised payment to beneficiaries who had not received cash on Monday,” she added. “Social distancing was better managed compared to day one.” 

“We still saw large numbers of beneficiaries at SAPO outlets including Child Support Grant beneficiaries.  Levels of sanitisation still remained good across all outlets,” she said.

“There were no reported incidents of beneficiaries taking ill or passing on at any site and no reported incidents of beneficiaries not getting payment.  Most payment sites completed their payments as per schedule.”

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

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