DESPITE assurances from the Department of Social Development that the payment of social grants beyond 31 March will go smoothly, local pensioners have said they believe there is a crisis looming. This comes after South African Social Security Agency’s (Sassa) current contract with Cash Paymaster Services, which pays social grants to almost 17 million beneficiaries, is set to expire at the end of March.

The Constitutional Court had previously made a ruling that the contract between Sassa and Cash Paymaster Services was invalid and ordered a re-run of the tender process. But Cash Paymaster was allowed to continue to fulfill its contractual obligations so that social grants payments would not be disrupted.

Sassa is currently negotiating with Cash Paymaster Services, to continue beyond March, however, if this fails, millions around the country will be at risk. The minister’s silence has left some beneficiaries distressed. Durban North pensioner, Dawn de Beer, said she depends on the monthly grant and was deeply concerned about what going to happen.

“I depend on this money, this is what I live on. I’m deeply confused about the process, the TV says one thing while the radio says another. What am I going to do? The government has to fix it,” she said.

A Glenhills resident, who did not want to be named, said he would have to wait and see what happens come 1 April.

“I will need to watch what happens. I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t know what I’ll do without the payment on 1 April, I have no other family and this is what is concerning me, every little bit helps,” he said.