Latest news with #Sassa
The Herald
4 days ago
- The Herald
Fraud totalling R4.3m uncovered by Sassa in East Cape
News Premium By Nomazima Nkosi - 17 June 2025 The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has uncovered widespread corruption in its Eastern Cape offices involving thousands of missing files, fictitious children and fake pensioners, resulting in a loss of R4.3m. Officials have also received death threats, including bullets sent in envelopes...
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Suurman CPF tackles crime-infested streets with nothing but whistles and torches
Suurman CPF tackles crime-infested streets with nothing but whistles and torches A group of dedicated community members are adamant about keeping their streets safe and crime-free. They do this by patrolling the streets of Temba in Hammanskraal with nothing but whistles, torches, and a deep sense of commitment to keeping their neighbourhood safe. This is the reality of the Suurman Community Policing Forum (CPF) led by founder and chairperson, Shadrack Skhosana. Operating under the Temba Police Station, Suurman CPF has been recognised as one of the most effective CPFs in the area, despite struggling with limited resources and minimal police support. The team conducts daily patrols, especially after 18:00, focusing on high-crime zones such as bus stops where streetlights are not functioning. 'We receive a lot of tips from our community WhatsApp group, and we respond as best we can with the little we have,' said Skhosana. The CPF faces an array of challenges. Common crimes in the area include cable theft, house break-ins, robberies, vehicle battery thefts, smash-and-grabs, and cases of gender-based violence, rape, and murder. While crime initially decreased after the CPF was formed, Skhosana noted that it is rising again due to the lack of police backup. Despite these obstacles, the CPF continues to make significant contributions. Skhosana said one of their most notable successes was tracing suspects in the rape and murder case of Nthabiseng Mabuso, who was killed on November 3, 2023. He said the forum alerted police, who arrested the suspects. 'The case is still ongoing at Temba Magistrate's Court, but sadly, the main suspect, with three other murder cases against him, was granted bail and is now missing,' he said. Beyond crime prevention, the CPF extended its support to broader community needs. 'We helped an 18-year-old who couldn't get an ID because her birth certificate said she was born in Namibia. Within two months, we helped her get a South African ID. We also assist children without birth certificates and pensioners struggling with their Sassa documents,' he added. The CPF also works hand-in-hand with the organisation Change With Elevation. They support school safety by positioning Sector 3 patrollers at school gates and running awareness campaigns and imbizos. Skhosana said community participation remains low due to past incidents where residents were arrested for mob justice. 'Our biggest challenges are transport and infrastructure. We need a 15-seater minibus, a few cars, and an empty stand to use as an office. 'It's not easy, but you have to love your community. With or without a budget, you have to be strong and carry on.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Born free, blocked by the system
ZODWA Vanqase, Treasure Moloi, Zethu Magidigudi, Kelvinicia Malan, Motshidisi Motloung, Carey-Lee Oliphant and Busisiwe Hlatshwayo who all volunteer at P.U.S.H in Kliptown remember their school years in uniform as Youth Day approaches. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspaper Over four million young South Africans rely on the R370 Social Relief of Distress grants. Image: Ron Lach / Pexels Forty-nine years after the 1976 youth rose up for their future, a new generation is still fighting—this time, for access to basic survival. Blocked by digital dead-ends, outdated databases, and silent systems, many young South Africans are being denied the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant - an essential support in a country where jobs are scarce and promises often fall flat. These technical barriers are hindering the efforts of youth applicants to secure these crucial funds, according to the social justice organisation, Black Sash. South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) spokesperson Andile Tshona said while there are currently over four million young beneficiaries receiving SRD grants, it is difficult to say whether this figure is more or less than the previous years, as the numbers keep changing. 'Remember that the SRD grant is not permanent. Some come through the system through approvals. At the same time, others get off the SRD grant as they no longer qualify after being reviewed,' he said. Black Sash executive director Rachel Bukasa said youth applicants for the SRD grant face multiple systemic and technical barriers. These barriers include unjust disqualifications due to outdated or inaccurate data from third-party databases (eg UIF, SARS) and delays in ID verification, particularly for young people recently issued with identity documents. Bukasa said other issues include the lack of digital access or data, which hinders online applications or status checks. She said poor communication from Sassa makes it difficult to understand rejection reasons or appeal processes and banking verification failures, especially for youth using accounts not in their name and digital wallets. There is also limited awareness about how to reapply or appeal decisions, especially among the youth in rural or underserved areas. 'Black Sash is actively working to support young SRD applicants through rights education and awareness campaigns, including digital content and community outreach that explain how to apply, appeal, and escalate,' said Bukasa. In addition, Bukasa said the organisation has paralegal support via the Black Sash Community Advice Offices and Helpline, guiding youth through verification or appeal processes. 'We also engage Sassa and the Department of Social Development (DSD) at the policy level, advocating for a more transparent and accessible SRD process, especially for youth and marginalised groups. Bukasa said Black Sash does active monitoring in the field, particularly during grant payment weeks, and reports SRD-related issues and trends to hold the government accountable and push for systemic reform. Aliya Chikte, project manager at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), agreed that young people encounter multiple obstacles at every stage of the SRD grant process. Chikte said there are also language barriers, biometric identity verification systems that are difficult to navigate, and an over-reliance on the formal banking system. 'Additionally, millions are wrongly disqualified because the income threshold is set below the Food Poverty Line - meaning even those in dire need are denied support,' she said. Chikte said 700,000 people are over 18 but still in the schooling system. 'These school learners are kicked off the Child Support Grant despite their nutritional needs remaining the same.' Chikte advised that there needs to be a universal basic income guarantee to ensure that youth do not fall deeper into poverty, especially in the context of mass unemployment. 'The government cannot make income support contingent on searching for jobs that do not exist,' she said. Kgothatso Sibanda, Black Sash Helpline manager, stated that they receive over 35 calls weekly from individuals facing issues with ID verification for SRD grants. Sibanda said the people who receive the grant have little to no income. 'This R370 grant, although it's small, does go a long way for those applicants. Without it, they cannot meet their needs or even hunt for a job.' She said a major issue is the verification link needed by beneficiaries from Sassa to prevent fraudulent activity. Beneficiaries fail to receive the link, and in some cases, the systems are down at Sassa and Home Affairs at varying times, she said. This affects not only those who are flagged but also those who need to change their cellphone numbers. 'From last year around June/July, we started getting a lot of complaints from people who were not getting links,' she said, noting that, according to Sassa, the system is automated. Sibanda said people wait up to three or more months without getting the link. She recommended that the verification be done at a Sassa local office to ensure that verification processes are sped up. 'If local office staff have access to the link, where applicants are able to go, that will really assist in speeding up the process,' said Sibanda. [email protected] Youth Day 2025 Image: Independent Media
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Pongola Sassa offices temporarily closed
A dispute with the landlord has resulted in the temporary closure of Pongola's Sassa offices, with services available from the Pongola Social Development Local Offices. KZN Sassa regional executive manager Thamo Mzobe explained that the national Department of Public Works is responsible for securing and maintaining suitable office accommodation for Sassa and other government entities. ALSO READ: Sassa social grants delayed for beneficiaries not declaring full income 'As a result of the dispute, the landlord has locked Sassa out of the office on multiple occasions – most recently on Monday, 2 June, and the premises remain inaccessible. 'To ensure continued service delivery and minimise disruption to our valued clients, Sassa has partnered with the KZN Department of Social Development,' she said. Sassa clients can visit the Pongola Social Development Local Offices at 1 New Republic Pongola. 'Sassa officials have been deployed to these temporary offices to provide uninterrupted assistance from Mondays to Fridays. 'We are working tirelessly in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders to reach an amicable and lasting resolution that prioritises the needs of our clients. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused,' said Mzobe. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
13-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
How systemic hurdles hinder South African youth from accessing the vital R370 SRD grant
Over four million young South Africans rely on the R370 Social Relief of Distress grants. Image: Ron Lach / Pexels In South Africa, over four million young individuals are currently benefiting from the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, an essential lifeline for many amid escalating economic challenges. However, systemic and technical barriers are hindering the efforts of youth applicants to secure these crucial funds, according to the social justice organisation, Black Sash. South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) spokesperson Andile Tshona said while there are currently over four million young beneficiaries receiving SRD grants, it is difficult to say whether this figure is more or less than the previous years, as the numbers keep changing. 'Remember that the SRD grant is not permanent. Some come through the system through approvals. At the same time, others get off the SRD grant as they no longer qualify after being reviewed,' he said. Black Sash executive director Rachel Bukasa said youth applicants for the SRD grant face multiple systemic and technical barriers. These barriers include unjust disqualifications due to outdated or inaccurate data from third-party databases (e.g., UIF, SARS) and delays in ID verification, particularly for young people recently issued with identity documents. Bukasa said other issues include the lack of digital access or data, which hinders online applications or status checks. She said poor communication from Sassa makes it difficult to understand rejection reasons or appeal processes and banking verification failures, especially for youth using accounts not in their name and digital wallets. There is also limited awareness about how to reapply or appeal decisions, especially among the youth in rural or underserved areas. 'Black Sash is actively working to support young SRD applicants through rights education and awareness campaigns, including digital content and community outreach that explain how to apply, appeal, and escalate,' said Bukasa. In addition, Bukasa said the organisation has paralegal support via the Black Sash Community Advice Offices and Helpline, guiding youth through verification or appeal processes. 'We also engage Sassa and the Department of Social Development (DSD) at the policy level, advocating for a more transparent and accessible SRD process, especially for youth and marginalised groups. Bukasa said Black Sash does active monitoring in the field, particularly during grant payment weeks, and reports SRD-related issues and trends to hold the government accountable and push for systemic reform. Aliya Chikte, project manager at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), agreed that young people encounter multiple obstacles at every stage of the SRD grant process. Chikte said there are also language barriers, biometric identity verification systems that are difficult to navigate, and an over-reliance on the formal banking system. 'Additionally, millions are wrongly disqualified because the income threshold is set below the Food Poverty Line - meaning even those in dire need are denied support,' she said. Chikte said 700,000 people are over 18 but still in the schooling system. 'These school learners are kicked off the Child Support Grant despite their nutritional needs remaining the same.' Chikte advised that there needs to be a universal basic income guarantee to ensure that youth do not fall deeper into poverty, especially in the context of mass unemployment. 'The government cannot make income support contingent on searching for jobs that do not exist,' she said. Kgothatso Sibanda, Black Sash Helpline manager, stated that they receive over 35 calls weekly from individuals facing issues with ID verification for SRD grants. Sibanda said the people who receive the grant have little to no income. 'This R370 grant, although it's small, does go a long way for those applicants. Without it, they cannot meet their needs or even hunt for a job.' She said a major issue is the verification link needed by beneficiaries from Sassa to prevent fraudulent activity. Beneficiaries fail to receive the link, and in some cases, the systems are down at Sassa and Home Affairs at varying times, she said. This affects not only those who are flagged but also those who need to change their cellphone numbers. 'From last year around June/July, we started getting a lot of complaints from people who were not getting links,' she said, noting that, according to Sassa, the system is automated. Sibanda said people wait up to three or more months without getting the link. She recommended that the verification be done at a Sassa local office to ensure that verification processes are sped up. 'If local office staff have access to the link, where applicants are able to go, that will really assist in speeding up the process,' said Sibanda. [email protected]
