• Anonymous writes:

I see more and more people begging at busy street intersections, especially those with traffic lights where cars are compelled to stop.

I feel sorry for those with insufficient means to support themselves, but that is why SASSA grants are paid with taxpayers’ money. The purpose is also to obviate the need for such people to stand on street corners and beg for money, endangering themselves, as well as motorists.

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Various categories of monthly social relief grants are available, like pensions for people of 60 years and older (R1 985), disability grants for people between 18 and 59 (R1 985), child support grants (R400 per child), as well as a social relief grant (R350 for the unemployed).

Although these grants may not be enough to support them, nothing prevents them to earn extra money by working part-time.

Some of them do their best to look and dress pathetic to invite sympathy for them, whilst others are hardcore professional beggars extorting money from motorists by knocking on car windows and insulting and cursing those who ignore them or refuse to give them money.

I am a pensioner who contributed to a pension fund for 32 years to support me and my family. I had an unpleasant experience on August 17 with one of these hardcore professional beggars on the corner of Robert Broom Drive and Van Oordt Street who insulted and cursed me when I refused to give him money. He was well-dressed and from my perspective looked healthy and fit to work. I estimated his age to be at least 60.

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He said he was only 50 years old and did not qualify for a social grant, which is a lie! If he is under 60, he and his wife each qualify for the monthly social relief grant of R350. Any children under the age of 18 qualify for a child support grant of R400 each. Children over 18 who are unemployed and still living with him, also qualify for the social support grant of R350.

I am 71 years old, a personal taxpayer and I am not prepared to give my pension money to unthankful extortioners, or am I wrong?

The question is why this situation is allowed by the Traffic Department? Are these beggars not contravening traffic regulations? Most of them, if not all, are receiving social grants.

They should be asked by law-enforcement officers to provide their names and IDs which can be used to check with SASSA whether they receive social grants. Those who receive social grants should be prohibited to beg on street corners! What can be done to stop this dangerous and undesirable practice?

Will the Chief Traffic Officer of Mogale City please respond to this matter?

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