The DA in the Western Cape notes the suspension of SASSA’s regional manager, Mr Bandile Maqetuka. This must not deter SASSA from keeping to its mandate in settling the current crisis at the social security agency. We are in the midst of a pandemic and face a humanitarian crisis, critically affecting our most vulnerable.
It was agreed at the last Standing Committee on Social Development that SASSA will deliver a regular report on their progress in assessing and processing temporary disability grant applicants. Although the SASSA CEO has previously indicated that the agency does not account to the provincial legislature, there was a change in approach from the agency just last week.
MPP Gillion Bosman, says: “We will not accept any attempt by SASSA to use Mr Maqetuka’s suspension as a reason to delay processes and transparency in dealing with the current crisis. With over 48,000 temporary disability grants still to be processed in the Western Cape, the President and Minister Lindiwe Zulu must see to it that SASSA has enough capacity, even without the regional manager, to deliver on the promises they have given to the standing committee as well as the residents who rely on disability grants in the province.”
The report by SASSA to the Standing Committee on Social Development is expected to arrive this week where we will see the progress that SASSA has made since their last interaction with us.
Cape Town Lens: Lion’s Head