Three die during grant payments

Three grant recipients – one each in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng – died either on their way to collect their benefits or at payment points yesterday (March 30).

During a National Command Council media briefing today (March 31), Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu expressed her condolences to the families of the beneficiaries who had died.

Payments to the elderly and those with disabilities were made yesterday and today. However, payments were not without challenges.

“Yesterday things started smoothly but the queues were long and social distancing was not being kept. Today it was a different situation. We had support from retail centres and our staff. Today, we are hoping for a better report,” said Minister Zulu.

She said the situation room was monitoring all provinces and at the end of the day hoped to receive reports from the MECs and regional managers, and heads of department at Sassa.

The total grant amount for beneficiaries is R10.2 billion which is accessed mainly through the national payment system, including ATMs. The number of transactions completed yesterday was four million, valued at R3,8 billion. Some 3.2 million beneficiaries received their grants through commercial bank accounts.

“In future to avoid queues, improve systems, give dignity to people and to allow them to easily access grants without stress and strain, the South African Post Office and Sassa will work together to do payments differently. Today it is coronavirus, tomorrow it might be something else,” said Minister Zulu.

Yesterday cash arrived late in some rural areas, and at some payment points, money was not available or had run out. However, today money was available for all grant types.

“Our key achievement was that the overall payment system was stable. Each person was spending between five and 10 minutes accessing their money,” said the minister.