A fiery warning has been issued to the organization that pays government grants in the country, Sassa, about people returning empty-handed and not receiving their money as the investigation continues to find ghosts who are giving away grant money improperly.
This investigation commissioned by the Ministry of Treasury, is said to have caused some wage earners to end up not receiving their money. This made the chairperson of the Community Development Committee in Parliament, Ms. Bridget Masango, issue a warning to Sassa to ensure that it does not end up tying people who need to receive their allowances with one belt.
He said they are worried that there are people who have found out that they are not getting grants because the investigation is ongoing.
“We support the efforts to uncover ghosts who receive grants because this move saves tax payers money. But we are concerned that there are people who are no longer able to receive grants because of this investigation,” he said while talking to the media yesterday.
He said that Sassa must ensure that the right people get their allowances.
“The investigation that is being carried out has reached 420 000 grants. R34 million has been saved due to the arrest of those who were receiving grants illegally. This money would have been received by people who should not receive it,” continued Ms. Masango.
Sassa recently revealed in Parliament that it has identified 43 employees for corruption. The agency said some of these workers were charged and fired for theft, corruption and mismanagement.
Mrs. Sindisiwe Chikunga, the acting MEC in the department, has recently revealed that they have stopped the administration of 67,868 grants in one quarter of the year due to corruption.
He stated that they caught this corruption during an investigation into whether there is any money received by the beneficiaries of government grants.
Those who receive child support, which is notoriously expensive, see many of those who are set up for their allowances. Next are those who receive old age benefits as well as those who receive sickness benefits.