Sonke calls out the Social Development department for incompetence and delays in payment of social grants to the vulnerable. Thousands of South African Social Security Agency grant beneficiaries were left stranded at automated teller machines last week after not receiving their pay outs due to technical glitches caused by the Postbank. While the bank is responsible for payment of about forty percent of grants to SASSA beneficiaries, this is reported to be the fourth time that the same glitches have occurred in a year.
‘’This is unacceptable, social grants assist the poor and vulnerable in the society, majority of which are women and children. The constant delays in payments causes untold harm to people who are already vulnerable. Although Postbank is reported to have resolved this system malfunction, we condemns the lack of urgency to rectify this even a year later, It is a shame that a democratic government treats the most vulnerable in society with such callous contempt. We are certain if such a glitch affected parliamentarians and members of cabinet the matter would have been resolved within days.” said Bafana Khumalo, Co-Executive Director, Sonke Gender Justice and Co-Chairperson, Global MenEngage Alliance.
Issued by Sonke Gender Justice
For media enquiries contact:
Kgomotso Mophulane, Communications & Strategic Information Manager, Sonke Gender Justice on kgomotso@genderjustice.org.za or 0835196187.
Bafana Khumalo, Co-Executive Director, Sonke Gender Justice and Co-Chairperson, Global MenEngage Alliance: bafana@genderjustice.org.za or 082 5784479.
Note to editors
Sonke is a South African-based non-profit organisation working throughout Africa. We believe women and men, girls and boys can work together to resist patriarchy, advocate for gender justice, and achieve gender transformation. For media releases, reports and news visit https://genderjustice.org.za/ and https://genderjustice.org.za/newsletter-signup/
