Question NW2784 to the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
09 October 2023 - NW2784
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
Whether, with reference to the identification of a number of challenges related to the payment of social grants and other forms of social assistance by the Government, her Office has put measures in place to monitor and/or ensure that the relevant government departments (a) address the issues it had identified relating to security issues around the SA Social Security Agency cards and Post Office accounts and (b) find alternative mechanisms for making safe payments; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
a) Whether her office has addressed the issues it had identified relating to security issues around the SA Social Security Agency cards and Post Office accounts?
Yes, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation conducted an extensive frontline monitoring at the paypoints and produced a report that has been shared with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
DPME made extensive recommendations to improve the payment mechanism. Engagements on this report is ongoing and will be considered in the review of the MTSF in preparations for the 7th administration. In the meantime, DPME continues to monitor the immediate interventions being introduced by the Department of Social Development and Department of Communications and Digital through their entities, SASSA and the Postbank.
B. Whether her office has found alternative mechanisms for making safe payments; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Yes, this is ongoing as the recommendations of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation are being discussed internally within government.
THANK YOU