South African parliamentarians have expressed concerns over the poor treatment of the elderly by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). The complaints center around long queues and the agency's biometric system, which is disadvantaging vulnerable individuals who are desperate to access social grants. According to MPs, many elderly individuals are subjected to inhumane waiting times and rude staff at SASSA offices.
The criticism comes as SASSA revealed that the number of grant beneficiaries has reduced by more than 416,000 over the last financial year. The agency attributed this reduction to its efforts to root out corruption. Despite the unpopularity of these measures, SASSA CEO Themba Matlou stated that the agency is scaling up its review to ensure that only those who genuinely qualify for grants receive them.
Chairperson of Parliament's Social Development Committee, Bridget Masango, singled out SASSA offices in Gauteng, including Roodepoort and Soshanguve in Pretoria, where she witnessed first-hand the poor treatment of beneficiaries by staff. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also criticized the agency, stating that people are often required to make multiple trips to SASSA offices due to a lack of holistic information provided during initial visits.
EFF's Paulnita Marais stated that the biometric verification system is hurting the elderly and that an alternative solution is needed. However, SASSA CEO Themba Matlou defended the biometric system, stating that it is a key tool in rooting out graft in the system. Matlou pleaded with leadership to understand the complexity of the issue and the need for a thorough clean-up of the social grants system.
Matlou also emphasized that SASSA cannot apply a blanket approach to determine eligibility for grants, and that individual circumstances must be assessed. He stated that government funds are meant for those facing undue hardship, but that the agency must verify the income and needs of applicants. SASSA manages grants for close to 19 million beneficiaries and almost 8 million more who receive the Social Relief of Distress grant.
The agency's efforts to address staff shortages and improve service delivery are ongoing. SASSA is in the process of hiring to address staff shortages, according to Matlou. Despite these efforts, MPs remain concerned about the treatment of beneficiaries and the need for a more efficient and compassionate system.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) plays a critical role in providing social grants to millions of South Africans. The agency's efforts to root out corruption and ensure that grants are distributed fairly are essential, but must be balanced with the need to provide efficient and compassionate service to beneficiaries.
Key points
- MPs criticize SASSA for poor treatment of elderly beneficiaries, citing long queues and a biometric system that is disadvantaging vulnerable individuals.
- SASSA attributes a reduction in grant beneficiaries to efforts to root out corruption.
- The agency is working to address staff shortages and improve service delivery.
