Mqetuka, who assumed office at the start of this month after working for the organisation for several years, including a three-month stint in the Eastern Cape, said his mission would be to restore the dignity of the vulnerable through various educational programmes.
“I want to ensure social grants are paid to eligible persons in a dignified manner. People will get the full value of their amount. The new card will not allow any deductions if people chose the Sassa preferred payment method,” he said.
The new card will be rolled out throughout the rest of the province next month. The current cards can still be used until December 31 this year.
“We have blocked all debit entries on that card except withdrawal by the beneficiaries. We are saying to people they must not hand over their cards to anyone. There are opportunists who take advantage of their situations by providing loans and offering services that are overpriced.
“We will be working with various stakeholders so that people can understand how the new payment method will work,” Mqetuka said.
New Sassa cards to block moneylenders’ deductions
Unlawful deductions by money lenders will be a thing of the past following the successful launch of the new grant cards by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and South African Post Office in Mount Fletcher this week.
New Sassa regional executive manager Bandile Mqetuka said the new cards are designed to prevent debit order deductions, which was a feature that could be activated on the old card.
He said beneficiaries – of which 1.8 million are in the Eastern Cape – can choose between receiving their money through a bank of their choice or through the new card. Only cash withdrawals can be made with the new card at a bank, post office outlets and retail stores that offer the service.
Mqetuka explained that the previous banking system was fraught with claims that monies had been deducted before people received their Sassa grant, “but with this new card of ours, no deductions will be allowed on the card at all”.
Image: Bhongo Jacob
Mqetuka, who assumed office at the start of this month after working for the organisation for several years, including a three-month stint in the Eastern Cape, said his mission would be to restore the dignity of the vulnerable through various educational programmes.
“I want to ensure social grants are paid to eligible persons in a dignified manner. People will get the full value of their amount. The new card will not allow any deductions if people chose the Sassa preferred payment method,” he said.
The new card will be rolled out throughout the rest of the province next month. The current cards can still be used until December 31 this year.
“We have blocked all debit entries on that card except withdrawal by the beneficiaries. We are saying to people they must not hand over their cards to anyone. There are opportunists who take advantage of their situations by providing loans and offering services that are overpriced.
“We will be working with various stakeholders so that people can understand how the new payment method will work,” Mqetuka said.
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