Latest news with #AlexandraAbrahams
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
NPA's decision not to prosecute Sassa fraud raises concerns over accountability
South African Social Security Agency has not completed lifestyle reviews, investigations, and audits have on the 11 implicated officials in compliance with remedial action by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka Image: File The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has declined to prosecute fraud and corruption in connection with the multi-million contract awarded by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to Azande Consulting citing lack of prospects of success. This was revealed by the Police Ministry when it was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Alexandra Abrahams when she enquired whether the Hawks received request to probe possible bid rigging and corruption. This was after then acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka found in 2022 that Azande Consulting should have been disqualified as it did not meet the requirements for the door-to-door survey performed as part of the Integrated Community Outreach Programme in nine provinces over a period of three years. Gcaleka also found that Sassa's Bid Adjudication Committee failed to do due diligence for an appointment made by the Bid Evaluation Committee, prior to accepting and approving Azande Consulting as one of the preferred bidders. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Bid Evaluation Committee and Bid Adjudication Committee failed to implement controls during the evaluation and adjudication of the bid to avoid irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, she said. In her remedial action, Gcaleka referred to the DPCI to consider conducting criminal investigation for possible bid rigging and corruption. Gcaleka also said that the Sassa CEO should consider conducting periodic lifestyle audits on 11 implicated officials and take action against them for breaching the institution's code of conduct. In its reply, the Police Ministry confirmed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation received a request to conduct a criminal investigation in the matter that related to possible fraud and corruption. It also said the matter was officially reported to the DPCI by the Department of Social Development in August 2021 and a comprehensive investigation was conducted. 'The investigation was finalised, and the matter was submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on 2024-04-03, for a prosecutorial decision. Following a review of the evidence presented, the NPA declined to prosecute on 2024-12-12, citing no prospects of successful prosecution,' the ministry stated. Meanwhile, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe said the lifestyle reviews, investigations, and audits have not yet been completed on the 11 implicated officials in compliance with Gcaleka's remedial action. Tolashe said Sassa has to develop a draft policy framework to guide the implementation of lifestyle audits and reviews. 'This policy is essential to ensure that such reviews are conducted in a manner that is legally sound, procedurally fair, and aligned with best practices in public administration.' She said internal consultations for the draft policy have concluded, with final approval expected by June 2025 and that Sassa was in the process of appointing a suitably qualified and independent service provider to conduct the lifestyle audits. 'Sassa is also undertaking the security vetting with State Security Agency and of the 11 employees, four have completed their vetting process and security clearance issued. 'One is in progress, two outstanding and four have left the employment of Sassa through resignation or retirement.' Tolashe further said once the policy was approved and the service provider is appointed, Sassa will initiate the lifestyle audits and investigations of the 11 officials identified in the Public Protector's report. 'Sassa remains committed to upholding the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability,' she said.
The South African
10-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
SASSA beneficiaries just 80 days' away from NEW nightmare
Who can forget the Postbank debacle that left millions of SASSA beneficiaries floundering earlier this year? For no clear reason, SASSA beneficiaries using the Postbank Gold card were told to upgrade to the Black card with only a few weeks' warning. However, not even Postbank staff were able to handle the number of affected SASSA beneficiaries. And even after several deadline extensions, with millions still unassisted countrywide, the department pulled the plug on the Postbank card-swap debacle. POSTBANK SASSA BENEFICIARIES HAVE 80 DAYS Changing your SASSA grant provider is relatively easy, if you haven't done so already. Image: File Nevertheless, while the card swap is no longer necessary for SASSA beneficiaries, there's a new payment nightmare looming on the horizon. Now the Public Protector has flagged serious failures by the South African Social Security Agency and Postbank. Unending delays and irregular staff appointments, there is now no payment alternative in place when SASSA's arrangement with the government entity ends on Tuesday 30 September 2025. As such, the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Alexandra Abrahams is urging any SASSA beneficiaries still with Postbank to switch to another reputable bank as soon as possible. Postbank's master agreement with SASSA runs out at the end of September. Image: File If the Public Protector's warning rings true, as many as two-million SASSA beneficiaries may not be paid from October 2025 onwards. Investigations into Postbank include allegations of mismanagement of social grants and ineffective implementation of the grant payment systems. Likewise, it is looking into the irregular appointment of former SASSA CEO, Busisiwe Memela-Khambula. In its report, the Public Prosecutor mentioned something that all SASSA beneficiaries still with Postbank should note. 'The Master Service Agreement with Postbank is expiring at the end of September 2025. And an extension of the contract seems implausible, in light of the fundamental compliance issues experienced between SASSA and Postbank. Therefore, affected SASSA beneficiaries should find a new credible service provider,' says the report. Soon the SASSA/Postbank Gold card really will be a thing of the past. Image: File Furthermore, the DA's Alexandra Abrahams has requested that SASSA, Postbank, and the South African Reserve Bank be held to account in Parliament as a matter of urgency. 'SASSA's inability to appoint a credible grant payment service provider has jeopardised the SASSA grant payments of 2 169 371 beneficiaries, including those of Child, Disability and Older Person grants. SASSA beneficiaries require urgent clarity on how their grants will be paid from October 2025 onwards,' concludes Abrahams. ARE YOU WITH POSTBANK AND HAVE YOU CHANGED PROVIDERS YET? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
08-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Back to drawing board for 2026 revised SASSA SRD grant
Parliament sent back the revised SASSA SRD grant to the Department of Social Development this week. It's touted to become a Basic Income Grant for the unemployed in 2026. However, the working group wants to see urgent changes before it is approved. As such, a draft policy for the revised SASSA SRD grant was initiated with the committee for Social Protection, Community and Human Development back in November 2024. However, the committee sent it back to the DSD on Wednesday this week, citing 'affordability and economic opportunities for beneficiaries.' The none-permanent COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant has been extended every year since 2020. Image: File Before the new-look stipend is approved, it must survive various engagements. Like with the Office of the Presidency, National Treasury and Department of Employment and Labour. The South African Social Security Agency believes this will be concluded within a few months. From there a draft will be published for public comment. Policymakers from the DSD were told to 'better integrate pathways from income support to employment.' Currently, the grant pays out R370 each month to roughly 9-million beneficiaries living below the poverty line. However, the committee wants to see it become better 'aligned with broader economic objectives,' like jobs … South Africa's unemployment rate has only been increasing in the last decade, forcing many to exist in the informal sector. Image: File Essentially, the 2026 Basic Income Grant will be for those without jobs, but not to the point of creating long-term dependency on the grant. Therefore, the DSD and SASSA have to improve their data systems and align government programmes to make it work efficiently. Government is concerned that if and when they make the grant permanent, it must be budgeted for every year to remain viable (unlike the current R370 SRD which isn't permanent). While the department sets to work 'tightening' the revised SASSA SRD grant, it has requested that the National Treasury extend SRD for two more years. However, the Treasury has only approved the continuation of the current SRD grant until March 2026. There's simply not enough taxpayer money to ensure everyone who applies for a SASSA grant will be approved for one. Image: File In response to yet another delay to the revised SASSA SRD grant, many MPs were scathing of the DSD's work. The EFF's Noluvuyo Tafeni noted the policy has been in development for over two decades and was still not ready. Likewise, the DA's Alexandra Abrahams questioned whether the revised SASSA SRD grant policy would ever see the light of day. Finally, the MK's Nhlanhla Gcwabaza argued that SASSA should work to help people exit the grant system, not make them dependent on it … Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SARB must explain chaotic Postbank/SASSA card switch process to Parliament
The DA will request that SARB appear before the parliamentary portfolio committee on social development to explain its perspective on the chaos of switching the gold cards to Postbank black cards. While the DA welcomes the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) 's instruction to Postbank that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold cards remain active, we will request that SARB appear before the parliamentary portfolio committee on social development to explain its perspective on the chaos of switching the gold cards to Postbank black cards. We believe that the instruction that Postbank must honour transactions made with SASSA gold cards will be a source of comfort for SASSA grant beneficiaries who have been unable to switch, but the constant change of deadlines, the general chaos that have marked the process, and now the suspension of issuing Postbank black cards remain a source of worry for beneficiaries and the DA. Beneficiaries have spent many hours and limited funds trying to switch their SASSA gold cards to Postbank black cards, often going home empty-handed, especially during the early days of the switch. To now have to contend with yet another change in process is unreasonable. While the DA does not hold SARB responsible for the chaos, we believe that South Africans will benefit from the Reserve Bank's view on the situation. A briefing by SARB will also further empower Parliament to hold Postbank and SASSA to account. The DA also commends our local councillors for supporting SASSA grant beneficiaries by availing community halls, inviting banks, and empowering residents to choose their service provider. We encourage SASSA grant recipients to open accounts with reputable banks in which to receive their monthly grants. Alexandra Abrahams MP I DA Deputy Spokesperson on Social Development
