Cash-in-transit heists a worry for Sassa as it considers cash payments
The surge in cash heists is one more factor the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has to consider as it seeks to discourage grants beneficiaries from opting for cash payments. In the past, high transaction costs have been the agency’s main worry, but the recent rise in cash-in-transit robberies across SA has forced Sassa to further discourage cash payments. The agency says it will enlist the military to help deliver cash to about 700,000 beneficiaries in far-flung rural areas. "In such a case, we will consider extreme measures to locate them, such as asking institutions or individuals to assist to bring services to those people," Sassa acting CEO Abraham Mahlangu told Parliament’s social development portfolio committee on Wednesday. "We will even consider the extreme measure of using the SANDF [South African National Defence Force] to pay [cash] grants in remote areas," he said. The agency was also working closely with traditional leaders in a bid to locate beneficiaries ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.