Following revelations of billions in underspending and fraud yearly, requires the SASSA CEO to step down are solely gathering momentum. Earlier this 12 months, SASSA CEO Busisiwe Memela shared in her annual report before parliament many startling monetary truths about SASSA’s inefficiencies.

Now, GroundUp studies that tensions ran excessive throughout a debate within the Western Cape legislature this previous week. According to studies, there’s widespread frustration over failures by the South African Social Security Agency to supply enough providers to social grant recipients, particularly old-age beneficiaries.

CALLS FOR SASSA CEO TO STEP DOWN

The Democratic Alliance’s Wendy Kaizer-Philander condemned the state of affairs, describing the ongoing failures of SASSA as a crisis. “Social grants are more than just a financial transaction. It’s a promise that, regardless of your circumstances, the government will provide a basic level of support. Grants are a lifeline for many, and ongoing delays have left families in unacceptable situations. While people suffer and wait, SASSA’s leadership remains untouched, shielded by bureaucracy, and comforted by perks and bonuses,” mentioned Kaizer-Philander.

As a end result, she overtly known as for the SASSA CEO to step down. “Busisiwe Memela has failed to address the longstanding issues at SASSA since taking office in 2019. Under her leadership, these issues have only gotten worse,” Kaizer-Philander defined. Moreover, in addition to excessive ranges of corruption and incompetence, malfunctioning IT programs and limitless delays are inflicting widespread struggling for struggling beneficiaries who face lengthy queues or generally no fee in any respect.

BLAME THE POST OFFICE?

Remarkably, the ANC’s Rachel Windvogel rotated and blamed the South African Post Office for the delays. The authorities entity has been bancrupt and in enterprise rescue for a number of years. “Grant payment delays were not solely a SASSA problem but linked to challenges within the South African Post Office. SASSA has tirelessly advocated for grant beneficiaries to change their payment methods. Yet many are reluctant to do so. It is high time that the public representatives in this house step up and assist in this regard instead of engaging in armchair criticism,” mentioned Windvogel.

Meanwhile, Western Cape authorities level to SASSA staffing shortages and infrastructure points on the bottom that proceed to constrain its potential to work effectively. More assets should be allotted to SASSA to handle the rising wants of the province’s most weak residents, mentioned the DA.

SASSA STATS

In the SASSA CEO’s 2024 report back to parliament, the next statistics got here to gentle:

• Social grants price taxpayers greater than R250 billion per 12 months, which equates to 12% of the nation’s nationwide funds.
• 45% of the South African inhabitants receives social advantages.
• There are 28 million beneficiaries countrywide.
• 19-million folks make up the company’s ‘core’ shoppers (Old Age, Child Support, Veterans and Disability).
• The highest variety of SASSA grants in 2024 are disbursed in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape respectively.
• There are 9 million SRD recipients every month.
• Funding for SASSA grants this 12 months was drawn from three sources: Personal earnings tax – R739 billion, VAT – R467 billion and company earnings tax – R303 billion.

SHOULD THE SASSA CEO STEP DOWN?

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