Please find attached an English soundbite by the DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, Bridget Masango MP.
The DA notes with concern reports today that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has cancelled the bidding process to find an alternative service provider to Cash Paymaster Services(CPS), for the distribution of cash grants.
The DA will now write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Ms Rosemary Capa, to request that she urgently invites Minister Susan Shabangu to account to Parliament on this decision and what it means for the 2.8 million grant beneficiaries who receive cash payments.
This move by SASSA is negligent and provides further proof that the Department under Shabangu’s leadership is on the same path witnessed during the disastrous tenure of Bathabile Dlamini.
SASSA cancelled the bidding process without having a contingency plan in place; effectively toying with the lives of 2.8 million vulnerable South Africans who depend on these grants.
In Court papers, Minister Shabangu stated her plans to establish a technical committee to advise her on the transition from CPS. Many of the suggested committee members do not inspire any confidence:
- Former Minister Dipuo Peters presided over rampant corruption and maladministration in the Transport Department;
- Totsie Memela was accused by former Land and Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza of corruption and incompetence during her tenure at the Land Bank;
- Sipho Shezi served as the special advisor to Minister Bathabile Dlamini when the grants crisis started in 2017.
We believe the formation of this committee is yet another attempt by the ANC government to ensure the continuation of the illegal CPS contract. If there was ever any doubt, Shabangu has confirmed that there will be no ‘new dawn’ with her at the helm as she follows in her predecessor’s footsteps of treating poor South Africans as second-class citizens.
As we did with Dlamini; the DA will not allow Shabangu to get away with this.