Show us the SASSA deal
“We are eagerly waiting to see the details, to ensure that all bases are covered and that the plan is feasible at a reasonable cost. Our main concern is that the recipients MUST receive their grants without fail,” says Dominique Msibi, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) portfolio manager for special projects.
“Parliament and the IMC should review the agreement without delay to ensure its feasibility, especially the timelines and the confirmation that it will indeed be implemented come 1 April 2018,” says Msibi.
“At this point we cautiously applaud the signing of the agreement, but we need to see proof and success.”
The deal was announced on Sunday.
The fact that various platforms will be used for the disbursement of grants to beneficiaries will improve the footprint to areas that SAPO may not reach.
“The signing of this agreement has been long overdue and we are relieved that it seems that the Minister’s attempts to sabotage this process have failed,” says Msibi.
“The welfare of millions of the neediest South Africans was compromised, while the Minister tried all she could to hang on to Cash Paymaster Services.”
It took a Constitutional Court order to finally ensure this messy matter was finalised in a way that ensures CPS will no longer offer services to SASSA from 31 March 2018.
“It is still a concern that we are so close to the 31 March. All stakeholders will have to work around the clock to ensure a smooth takeover that will not see the most vulnerable going without their much-needed grant payments,” says Msibi.
The new system was supposed to have been tested in October.