Why SASSA Has Only Paid 10 People The R350 COVID-19 Grant So Far

Why SASSA has Only Paid 10 People the R350 COVID-19 Grant so far

By Gugu LourieMay 22, 202022 Mins Read

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is trending on social media after it emerged that it has only paid ten people the R350 Social Relief Grant.

More than 4,9 million people have applied for the new special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant.

Speaking to SAFM on Friday, SASSA’s CEO Busisiwe Memela-Khambula confirmed that, as of 14:30 on 22 May, just ten people had been paid.

“We did a test last week we paid about 10 people to make sure the system works.”

SASSA started taking nationwide applications for the grant on 11 May 2020.

SASSA boss told the radio station that they have vetted more than 100 000 applicants and once they have confirmed their banking details they will be paid.

“We’ve sent SMS messages to over 100 000 people who are ready to receive the funds, and over time this process will become quicker. As soon as their data is loaded, we will be paying them on Friday.”

“The key thing for us is to make sure people don’t load their banking account in an environment that is not safe.”

Memela-Khambula told SAFM that the delay in payments is due to the vetting process being down with the UIF, SARS, NSFAS.

Also read: Is The R350 COVID-19 Special Grant For The Jobless A Mess In The Making?

Twitter reacted

10 as in like 12345678910? pic.twitter.com/fVhwfvhD82

— Sonwabo Zena (@QuincyZena) May 22, 2020

#SASSA

So if this month s R350.00 is not paid, next month we getting R700.00 or it stays on R350.00? pic.twitter.com/CV4ynl6TQK

— Emma 🇿🇦 (@Emma_Tsebe) May 22, 2020

I’m gonna take #SASSA to nyan’nyan and luyanda Potwana is gonna tell them that “thethani lanto benithetha nge R350 ku Twitter … Cause this feels like an abusive relationship… 😒 pic.twitter.com/07QpRxlFie

— T-BOSE… 🌠🌠🌠 (@Thabisokale3) May 22, 2020