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Cancelling SASSA tender process is toying with the lives of millions

Please find attached an English soundbite by the DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, Bridget Masango MP.

The DA notes with concern reports today that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has cancelled the bidding process to find an alternative service provider to Cash Paymaster Services(CPS), for the distribution of cash grants.

The DA will now write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Ms Rosemary Capa, to request that she urgently invites Minister Susan Shabangu to account to Parliament on this decision and what it means for the 2.8 million grant beneficiaries who receive cash payments.

This move by SASSA is negligent and provides further proof that the Department under Shabangu’s leadership is on the same path witnessed during the disastrous tenure of Bathabile Dlamini.

SASSA cancelled the bidding process without having a contingency plan in place; effectively toying with the lives of 2.8 million vulnerable South Africans who depend on these grants.

In Court papers, Minister Shabangu stated her plans to establish a technical committee to advise her on the transition from CPS. Many of the suggested committee members do not inspire any confidence:

  • Former Minister Dipuo Peters presided over rampant corruption and maladministration in the Transport Department;
  • Totsie Memela was accused by former Land and Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza of corruption and incompetence during her tenure at the Land Bank;
  • Sipho Shezi served as the special advisor to Minister Bathabile Dlamini when the grants crisis started in 2017.

We believe the formation of this committee is yet another attempt by the ANC government to ensure the continuation of the illegal CPS contract. If there was ever any doubt, Shabangu has confirmed that there will be no ‘new dawn’ with her at the helm as she follows in her predecessor’s footsteps of treating poor South Africans as second-class citizens.

As we did with Dlamini; the DA will not allow Shabangu to get away with this.

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DA to submit further allegations of improper Dlamini-CPS relationship to the Public Protector

Following reports in the media today on the possible improper relationship between the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, infamous businessman, Lunga Ncwana, and Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), the DA will submit the allegations to the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, to form part of her investigation the DA has requested into Dlamini’s relationship with CPS.
The link between Dlamini and Ncwana was reportedly revealed in a text message that Dlamini sent to the former director-general of Social Development, Zane Dangor, which reads; “You and Sipho [Shezi] have been used by [Thokozani] Magwaza who is a friend to my former boyfriend who wanted to extort money from Lunga and could not”.
The Minister’s connection to Ncwana is of grave concern, considering that Ncwana is a close friend of Brian Mosehla, who allegedly pocketed R83 million as CPS’s BEE partner, due to corrupt dealings.
The DA has long held that Dlamini purposefully manufactured the social grants crisis to ensure that the invalid contract with CPS would continue. The recent revelations could possibly reveal that this was done so that Dlamini and those close to her would benefit financially.
Dlamini played political games with the livelihoods of millions of South Africans, yet she somehow survived the president’s midnight cabinet reshuffle, whilst numerous other competent and effective ministers were removed.
Now that it is clear that the President has no remorse for the suffering of our people, it is up to the DA and ordinary South Africans to ensure that Dlamini and Zuma are held accountable for putting their own self-interest above the best interests of the people.