The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal welcomes the WhatsApp line introduced by the South African Social Security Agency in an effort to deal with social grant queries.
In view of the high number of social grant fraud cases that are still to be resolved, this initiative will go a long way is assisting people who live long distances away from SASSA offices. Many grant recipients are being defrauded by having unauthorised deductions made from their monthly grants and they do not report such cases because they are unable to go to a SASSA office or a post office.
By the middle of this year almost 21 000 fraud cases had been reported to the South African Post Office countrywide. People who have no other source of income in these economically difficult times cannot afford to lose even small amounts from the meagre grants that they receive. Through this service people will be able to lodge social grant queries, report any fraudulent deductions from their accounts and receive advice.
“People can send queries to 071 607 1514 (WhatsApp only) or they can call 033 846 3400. I tested this service and found that it is easy to use and there was efficient response from the official who answered my call. I would encourage people with queries to make use of this service and even request home visits by SASSA officials for those who are frail or too sick to go to the post office to get assistance. This is a welcome initiative which will hopefully help to root out illicit activities within the social grant system and protect grant recipients from corrupt individuals who prey on those who are most vulnerable”, said Hon Les Govender, IFP Spokesperson on Social Development.
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Contact:
Hon Les Govender MPL
IFP KZN Spokesperson on Social Development
082 448 8787