Calls for SASSA CEO to step down

Following revelations of billions in underspending and fraud annually, calls for the SASSA CEO to step down are only gathering momentum. Earlier this year, SASSA CEO Busisiwe Memela shared in her annual report before parliament many startling financial truths about SASSA’s inefficiencies.

Now, GroundUp reports that tensions ran high during a debate in the Western Cape legislature this past week. According to reports, there is widespread frustration over failures by the South African Social Security Agency to provide adequate services to social grant recipients, especially old-age beneficiaries.

CALLS FOR SASSA CEO TO STEP DOWN

The Democratic Alliance’s Wendy Kaizer-Philander condemned the situation, describing the ongoing failures of SASSA as a crisis. “Social grants are more than just a financial transaction. It’s a promise that, regardless of your circumstances, the government will provide a basic level of support. Grants are a lifeline for many, and ongoing delays have left families in unacceptable situations. While people suffer and wait, SASSA’s leadership remains untouched, shielded by bureaucracy, and comforted by perks and bonuses,” said Kaizer-Philander.

As a result, she brazenly called for the SASSA CEO to step down. “Busisiwe Memela has failed to address the longstanding issues at SASSA since taking office in 2019. Under her leadership, these issues have only gotten worse,” Kaizer-Philander explained. Moreover, besides high levels of corruption and incompetence, malfunctioning IT systems and endless delays are causing widespread suffering for struggling beneficiaries who face long queues or sometimes no payment at all.

BLAME THE POST OFFICE?

Remarkably, the ANC’s Rachel Windvogel turned around and blamed the South African Post Office for the delays. The government entity has been insolvent and in business rescue for several years. “Grant payment delays were not solely a SASSA problem but linked to challenges within the South African Post Office. SASSA has tirelessly advocated for grant beneficiaries to change their payment methods. Yet many are reluctant to do so. It is high time that the public representatives in this house step up and assist in this regard instead of engaging in armchair criticism,” said Windvogel.

Meanwhile, Western Cape authorities point to SASSA staffing shortages and infrastructure issues on the ground that continue to constrain its ability to work efficiently. More resources need to be allocated to SASSA to address the growing needs of the province’s most vulnerable residents, said the DA.

SASSA STATS

In the SASSA CEO’s 2024 report to parliament, the following statistics came to light:

• Social grants cost taxpayers more than R250 billion per year, which equates to 12% of the country’s national budget.
• 45% of the South African population receives social benefits.
• There are 28 million beneficiaries countrywide.
• 19-million people make up the agency’s ‘core’ clients (Old Age, Child Support, Veterans and Disability).
• The highest number of SASSA grants in 2024 are disbursed in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape respectively.
• There are 9 million SRD recipients each month.
• Funding for SASSA grants this year was drawn from three sources: Personal income tax – R739 billion, VAT – R467 billion and corporate income tax – R303 billion.

SHOULD THE SASSA CEO STEP DOWN?

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