A hoax has been doing the rounds saying that South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will be giving out uniform and stationery to the children, whose parents receive the social grant.
Nandi Mosia, a spokesperson for SASSA has said that this is not true; however, she does provide an explanation that clarifies how the information could have been misinterpreted.
Beneficiaries of the social grant have been urged to ignore messages and posts on social media that have been doing the rounds, claiming that SASSA would be providing uniforms and stationery to school going children who receive the Child Support Grant. The information provided in the hoax message, according to SASSA is inaccurate.
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Mosia said that SASSA does not supply stationery to school pupils as it does not fall part of the agency’s mandate.
The agency has also added that as part of the social relief of distress programme, school uniforms are provided. On the contrary, the programme is put into play in terms of the Social Assistance Act of 2004.
The act states that all potential beneficiaries have to meet the criteria according to the legislation.
The programme is implemented once an engagement with the principals of the identified schools has been conducted. Thereafter an assessment is conducted by SASSA.
According to SASSA, pupils who are to benefit from this programme have already been identified and orders for the uniforms were placed through local co-operatives, who sew the uniforms.
Mosia added that the main thing that SASSA is driving is to ask beneficiaries to always verify their information at SASSA offices and that people should not change their SASSA cards as it has not expired.
To check the authenticity of any information with SASSA contact their call centre on 0800 60 10 11 or visit www.sassa.gov.za
