SASSA to suspend Covid-19 grant over fraudulent activity

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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced plans to suspend Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant payments to beneficiaries over fraudulent activity.

The grant is meant for South African citizens who are between the ages of 18 and 60 years, who have insufficient means, who do not receive social grants on behalf of themselves.

Also those who are not contributing to or eligible for Unemployment Insurance Fund payment, and have no financial support from any other source.

According to the agency, after the grant has been suspended, the beneficiary is allowed to re-apply.

In a statement issued, SASSA said it has implemented this activity to ensure that the it pays social grants to the right people and avoid identity theft.

“The Agency is encouraging people to take responsibility to make sure that their Identity numbers are not utilised for fraudulent activities. SASSA beneficiaries must ensure that they do not share their identity numbers with strangers to avoid becoming aiding fraudsters,” the Agency.

Officials assigned to deal with grant cases

To manage these cases effectively, SASSA said it has well trained officials who are assigned to deal with Covid-19 SRD grant cases.

SASSA highlighted that should the beneficiary or applicant suspect any fraudulent activity, they must not hesitate to contact its toll-free hotline or WhatsApp service.

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When beneficiaries check their status and see that it is marked as “referred” it means that the SASSA system has flagged potential fraudulent activity therefore the beneficiary must contact SASSA immediately to resolve the case.

The agency also urged beneficiaries not to keep on changing their banking details and contact numbers because those processes delay the payment processes.