Sapo still has one more Sassa hurdle to jump

Postal services’ capabilities to come under scrutiny in evaluation

THE SA Post Office (Sapo) has one more hurdle to jump before collaborating with the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) to distribute grants. Briefing the joint meeting of standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) and social development portfolio committee, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said Sapo was to be assessed on its capacity to perform the four core functions and services required.

“Right now there is a process to finalise the capability and capabilities of Sapo on the basis on collaboration agreement that will be signed by November 24,” Radebe said.

He was leading the government inter-ministerial committee (IMC) on comprehensive social grants monitoring the court order imposed by Constitutional Court to phase out the Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) contract.

Radebe said they would receive a document and discuss it with Sapo to establish its capabilities.

This comes after the two entities signed an “implementation protocol” on Friday.

“This protocol forms the foundation for the signing of a further detailed collaborative agreement between Sassa and Sapo with the detailed project plan which will be submitted to the IMC by December 6 to the panel of experts or Constitutional Court by December 8,” Radebe said.

Asked if there was a Plan B if Sapo was found not “cost-effective”, Radebe said they have an implementation plan for the Constitutional Court directives, which contained time lines to be met by Sassa.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the panel of experts appointed by the Constitutional Court to oversee the phasing out of the CPS contract have recommended that Treasury probe Sassa officials and the Social Development Department for possible prosecution.

The probe, if approved, would target the awarding of contracts to service providers and that proper oversight for Sassa be considered. DA’s Tim Brauteseth said Scopa should follow up on the recommendation on criminal conduct of officials and hold Sassa accountable.