Press Statement dated 29 August 2018
The Public Servants Association (PSA) noted with discontentment that the Union’s members at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are forced to commit “fraud” by being instructed not to do bio-metric enrolment of applicants for social grants and bypass the enrolment process.
SASSA issued a circular on 14 August 2018 in respect of changes albeit by-passing of biometrics respectively amount to violation of good corporate governance and the grant administration processes. The PSA, through its lawyers, informed SASSA of its previous correspondence and that the delay in resolving this matter has caused a severe risk to its members as, for example, in the recent hostage situation at Temba and Soweto Local Offices.
“As a result of the instruction, applicants of social grants will not receive grants as the payment system will not recognise them as qualifying beneficiaries. This is because applications are being read by the system as ‘incomplete’. To date, SASSA has failed to take any action or measures to remedy the situation, including the safe guarding of employees and state property. This matter dates to 2015, with SASSA failing to constructively engage at the bargaining forum. It was also brought to the PSA’s attention that the Executive Manager: Gauteng is intimidating and threatening PSA members with disciplinary action, despite the instruction from the acting CEO to the contrary. Such conduct should be stopped immediately. The PSA insists that this matter should be discussed as a matter of urgency at the bargaining forum, noting current developments and the expiry of the CPS contract as per the Constitutional Court Judgement,” said PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.
The PSA is also outrages that SASSA has, without following due process or consultation with the PSA or affected members, started deducting from the salaries of employees who allegedly took part in the recent strike.
“It is of grave concern that the SASSA is proceeding with the deduction even though wage negotiations must still be concluded and are currently subjected to litigation processes. SASSA’s conduct is illegal and unlawful and the PSA has demanded through its lawyers that all monies deducted from members should be reimbursed immediately to avoid litigation on an urgent basis. The PSA is awaiting SASSA’s response on both matters to prevent further litigation,” said Mr Fredericks.
Issued by Ivan Fredericks, General Manager, Public Servants Association (PSA)