‘SA should not be put into this position ever again’
THE Black Sash is elated that the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) granted all the requests in our application in last week’s unprecedented ruling. We especially welcome the news that there will be no disruption to grant payments on April 1. Cash Paymaster Service (CPS), performing as an organ of the state, will continue to pay social grants for the next 12 months.
Very importantly, the ConCourt’s oversight over CPS’s extended contract with the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the implementation of the grant payment system was reinstated. Also significant is that the ConCourt asserted that the confidential data of social grant beneficiaries must be protected.
The ruling affirmed that when the Executive of government fails to perform its constitutional duties, the ConCourt can act decisively to safeguard and guarantee the protection of Section 27 rights, in this case social security. However, the country should not be put into this invidious position ever again.
We remain convinced that Sassa must fulfil its constitutional mandate to make grant payments nationally, without third parties with profit motives. The in-house payment system should create a special and protected bank account, free of deductions, including debit orders by third parties. Under the court’s supervision, Sassa must now ensure that it becomes fit for this purpose.
We are still carefully studying the full implications of the judgment and consulting our community and strategic partners.
Philander is the Black Sash Communications and Media officer.