Salvation Army joins chorus of concern over welfare grants

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2017 I For immediate release

The Salvation Army has joined the growing chorus of concern about the ability of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to avoid another grant payment crisis next year.

The organisation has expressed its disquiet over numerous aspects of the process that have been made public so far, saying that SASSA does not inspire confidence that it will meet the requirements imposed on it earlier this year by the Constitutional Court.

Major Carin Holmes, PR Secretary of the Salvation Army Southern Africa region says: “From what we have observed, there are numerous hiccups in a process that needed to run smoothly without any hitches in order to be successful.

“For example, the panel of experts appointed by the Constitutional Court to report on SASSA’s progress says in its latest report that there is ‘virtually no likelihood’ of SASSA appointing service providers in time to allow the issuance of new SASSA cards and the implementation of a new beneficiary enrolment system and cash distribution pay points by 1 April 2018.

“This gloomy forecast by a panel that has been carefully chosen for its wide experience and expertise is particular cause for concern. If its predictions come true, we will face another grant payment crisis similar to that of this year’s.

“We should never underestimate the importance of grant payments in a country with high levels of poverty and unemployment. The poorest of the poor simply do not have the capacity to absorb even one day’s delay in payment of their grants.

“Some of these people live in the most remote of South Africa’s rural areas. Their survival is from one grant payment day to the next. Any delay at all causes huge hardship,” she said.

Major Holmes added that several other developments over the SASSA grants issue were cause for concern:

SASSA payment cards are due to expire on 31 December. Although SASSA has given the assurance that the cards will continue to be accepted at all retailers, irrespective of the expiry dates printed on them, it was unacceptable that the cards will expire without replacements being available;
The fact that SASSA had told a parliamentary portfolio committee that it would adjudicate and award a contract to the South African Post Offices for its services by 31 August 2017. This deadline was missed;
The failure of SASSA to appear before the parliamentary portfolio committee on social development on 18 October, citing as its reason that it had no progress report;
Repeated failures by SASSA to provide timeous information to the panel of experts.

Major Holmes said it was vital that SASSA take the steps needed to comply with the various requirements placed on it, including those of the panel of experts.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God, and its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination.

The Southern Africa Territory of The Salvation Army encompasses four countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland – and the island of St Helena. Its officers, soldiers and full-time employees provide their spiritual and community services through approximately 230 corps (churches), societies and outposts, as well as through schools, hospitals, institutions for children, street children, the elderly, men and abused women, and daycare, goodwill, rehabilitation and social centres.

ISSUED BY QUO VADIS COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE SALVATION ARMY

Media Contact: Ruth Coggin
Quo Vadis Communications
Tel: 011-487-0026
Cell: 082-903-5819
CLICK HERE to e-mail Ruth Coggin

Client Contact: Major Carin Holmes
Public Relations Secretary
Tel: 011-718-6745
Cell: 082-994-4351
CLICK HERE to e-mail Carin Holmes