SASSA will be able to pay social grants in-house, as directed by the SASSA Act, (Act no 9 of 2004) as from 2017, after expiry of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) contract with Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), which is currently responsible for disbursing social grants.

To achieve that, the Minister of social Development, Bathabile Dlamini appointed a Ministerial Advisory Committee that will investigate and advise her on the best payment options for Social Security. Amongst other things, the committee is tasked with the responsibility to explore the existing market for a suitable payment model that will make SASSA to pay social grants in-house.

This move will have implications on payment channels, ICT, infrastructure as well as human resources amongst others. A suitable model should be able to create sustainable jobs for people who will be employed and further open up accessibility for deserving citizens. The model chosen should be able to allow grants to be disbursed under conditions that enhance the dignity of beneficiaries.

The Committee will be required to review a broad number of elements relating to the payment systems for social security benefits distribution or payments, taking into account the accessibility of services; Payment infrastructure requirements – the current level of South Africa’s infrastructure development and affordability; legislative and general regulatory environment; cost to state and to beneficiaries; and the macroeconomic environment.

Members of the Advisory Committee are drawn from key expert sectors such as accounting, banking, legal, ICT, payment systems and they are:

1. Advocate Themba Langa (Chairperson)

2. Professor Ann Skelton,

3. Mr Mark Davids,

4. Mr Sipho Majombosi,

5. Mr Barend Petersen,

6. Dr. Makhosi Khoza,

7. Mr Mark Davids,

8. Mr Tim Masela,

9. Mr Sizwe Shezi ,

10. Ms Tangkiso Parkies,

11. Patrick Monyeki

12. Mr Sanjiv Mital.

Contact:

Paseka Letsatsi

SASSA Spokesperson

Cell: 082 883 9969