Minister Fritz Distances Provincial Administration from Old Age Grant Non-Payment

Media Statement by Albert Fritz, Minister of Social Development

The statement released by the ANC yesterday, blaming this administration and me in particular for failing to pay grants to older persons in Piketberg on Monday, is based on incorrect facts and confusion.

The statement is irrational and inaccurate for the following reasons:

• All social grants, including those for older persons, are processed and paid by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
• SASSA reports directly to the National Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Olive Dlamini, and, as such, operates independently of the provincial department.
• Applications for grants are not processed by the local offices of the Western Cape Department of Social Development and therefore I have no hand in whether or when grants are paid.

The Western Cape Government is indeed concerned about the welfare of its most vulnerable citizens and, as such, my office has been in touch with the regional SASSA office to bring the matter to their attention and stress the urgency of remedying the situation. We have been informed that the matter is receiving the requisite attention.