The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) notes and appreciates the fact that social grants are being paid as of 01 April 2017 without any reported glitches so far, as should be the case in line with the Constitutional Court ruling.

Scopa would like to commend the management of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) for ensuring that the most vulnerable in the country receive their social grants, which are the only barrier between starvation and a dignified life for many families.

Scopa is happy that Parliament played an active and critical role in ensuring that, despite the many challenges, the catastrophe of non-payment has been avoided. Scopa would like to apologise to grant recipients who have been needlessly subjected to anxiety and uncertainty.

Scopa still maintains, as confirmed by the Constitutional Court, that this was a self-made crisis for which the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, should be solely and personally held accountable. Scopa will be closely monitoring the implementation of this extended contract with Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) and the timeous conclusion of a new one to avoid a repeat of the drama that occurred last month.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of Scopa, Mr Themba Godi