[ad_1]
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu.
- The Department of Social Development received a large number of applications for the special Covid-19 grant from people who were not eligible.
- More than 3 million were found to have other sources of income.
- Meanwhile, more than 8,000 applicants were found to have used the data of deceased persons.
The Department of Social Development received a large number of applications for the special Covid-19 grant, of which 8,000 applicants were found to be using the personal data of deceased persons, Minister Lindiwe Zulu said in a briefing on Friday.
“We remain concerned about the large number of applicants who, despite not being eligible, knowingly apply for the Covid-19 Special Grant to defraud the system. Over 3 million of those applicants were found to have other sources of income, including more. of 712,482 found to be receiving social grants, 605,466 registered for FIUs and 168,920 received an NSFAS [bursary], “adding:
“Most worryingly, more than 8,000 applicants were found to be using the personal data of deceased persons. This is not only illegal, but criminal.”
Zulu joined the provincial social development MECs to inform the media about the department’s social aid measures to mitigate the impact of Covid-19.
READ | Sassa loses 282 million rand to fraud in the past 5 years
The department said that because of its investment in fraud prevention and detection, it was able to deal with suspicious cases and combat fraud by working with other government entities and law enforcement agencies.
“Let me hasten to add that we will institute recovery measures for people who may have illegally received the grants intended for the most vulnerable,” Zulu added.
Regarding the special Covid-19 distress relief grant, the department says it has distributed R13.5 billion to more than six million eligible recipients to date.
READ | Covid-19: SA officially enters the second wave
Of the 9.5 million applications processed in November, more than 6.9 million were approved and paid, according to the minister.
“We are currently processing requests for December and we intend to process payments before the last week of this month. Of these payments, the South African Post Office (SAPO) accounts for 4 million, 1.6 million are paid through personal accounts and 100,000 via mobile money / cash transfer platforms, “Zulu said.
The Minister for Social Development added that she is working with Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to address the current challenges that applicants are experiencing at SAPO offices.
In addition, the minister said that there were 40,584 unclaimed benefits, mainly from the option of sending cash or mobile payment.
“We have tried to reach applicants, with very little success. Therefore, we ask all applicants to collect their grants, as this is aimed at helping them meet their basic needs,” he said.
The government has extended the grant for another three months until January 31, 2021.
