Question NW3433 to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
08 January 2024 - NW3433
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
What measures have been taken to accommodate employees from closed post offices; 2. what (a) measures have been put in place to facilitate the payment of stipends and grants which would ordinarily have been paid at the closed Post Offices, (b) number of beneficiaries have been affected and (c) measures have been taken to assist the affected beneficiaries, including the means of communication?
Reply:
1. Employees from closed Post Offices are offered redeployment to other workplaces based on staffing requirements.
(2)(a) Beneficiaries are referred to the nearest branches, retailers and banks for access to their grants.
(2)(b) SAPO has closed a number of branches nationwide, and amongst the closed branches are SASSA paying offices. The SAPO does not have a measure of determining the number of affected beneficiaries as a result of closed branches.
(2)(c) The process below is followed when a branch is closed:
- SASSA beneficiaries are referred to nearest branches, retailers and banks for assistance.
- For a planned closure – a board indicating the intention to close is displayed prior to the actual closure for customer information. An SMS is sent to branch customers where the cell phone details are known.
- For forced closure – a notice indicating closed status is displayed and left on the property for customer information.
- List of closed branches is shared with SASSA for further communication with beneficiaries.
- The list of closed offices is also placed on the SAPO website and updated weekly with details of alternative offices. The process has proven effective as beneficiaries have a choice to use retailers or banks.
Thank You.