October 24, 2024
Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has announced an investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption related to the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. This decision follows a concerning study by Stellenbosch University students Veer Gosai and Joel Cedras, who discovered that many students were registered for the grant without their consent.
The students sampled 60 peers and found that 56 had been signed up for the SRD grant despite not applying for it. They presented their findings to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development, prompting Tolashe to take swift action.
Welcoming the students’ insights, Tolashe emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, “There is no way we can delay what is urgent to poor people. We are taking it upon ourselves to investigate this matter thoroughly.”
The Department of Social Development, alongside the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), has been given 30 days to probe the allegations, particularly focusing on system flaws that may facilitate fraud.
Bridgette Masango, Chairperson of the Social Development Committee, urged the investigation to proceed quickly, noting the importance of ensuring that the funds meant for approximately 28 million beneficiaries are protected from fraudsters. She stressed the need for a presentation that reassures the public that SASSA is actively addressing these concerns.