Susan Shabangu criticised by opposition parties over social grant payments
Social Development Minister Susan Shabangu’s budget vote debate on Wednesday saw her facing sharp criticism from opposition parties over the ANC-led government’s management of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) despite her assurances that beneficiaries would continue to get their welfare grants without disruption. Sassa has lurched from one crisis to the next, and recently suspended its tender process for finding a new service provider to handle its cash payments to grant recipients, potentially jeopardising its prospects of meeting the Constitutional Court’s September 30 deadline. About 2.9-million people receive social grants in cash at 10,000 pay-points across SA. The tender suspension coincided with the unexpected appointment of a new acting CEO at Sassa; Abraham Mahlangu is the fourth person to be placed at the helm in three years. He replaced Pearl Bhengu, who is regarded as an ally of former social development minister, Bathabile Dlamini. The Constitutional Cour...
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