PENSIONERS will no longer be subjected to long queues at pay points across the country.
Yesterday saw pensioners getting money through the new pay system, Sekulula, aimed at fighting fraud and corruption.
Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini yesterday visited a pay point in Diepkloof Zone 1, Soweto, to check if the system was in full swing.
The elderly told Sowetan yesterday that they were happy with the new pay system that would allow them to withdraw money from supermarkets.
Ellen Zuma, 68, said: "I do understand the system. It works better than the old one. Previously, we would arrive here and be told that the machines were off-line.
"We would then have to wait for a long time before we get our money. I think this system will work."
Idah Tshabalala, 65, echoed Zuma's sentiments.
"The system is quicker than the old one. I am more happy because I do not have to come here anymore. I can withdraw money from anywhere in the country at any time.
"The system is going to make it easier for me. I will no longer be subjected to long queues," Tshabalala said.
Dlamini said the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) was now using Cash Paymaster Services. In February, Dlamini announced that the department would be re-registering all social grants recipients.
The first phase of the re-registration process started on March 1, with new beneficiaries being enrolled on to a new biometric-based payment system at local offices of Sassa upon application.
As part of this process, Sekulula beneficiaries were also enrolled and issued with a new payment biometric-based card.
Since the process started, there have been more than 60000 new applications.
"To date, a total of 878000 (88%) of the Sekulula beneficiaries have re-registered. We request Sekulula beneficiaries who have not yet re-registered to do so at their nearest pay points from 2 April 2012 to receive their temporary Sassa payment card," said Dlamini.
She said by June 1, the system would be in full swing.
"We will take fingerprints of both parents and children. This will help us ensure that no one gets grant money when they are not living with the child it is meant for.
"We have had many problems in the past," Dlamini said.
She said beneficiaries would no longer have to go for reviews.
"Our system will automatically update data," she said.
Relief for pensioners
PENSIONERS will no longer be subjected to long queues at pay points across the country.
Yesterday saw pensioners getting money through the new pay system, Sekulula, aimed at fighting fraud and corruption.
Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini yesterday visited a pay point in Diepkloof Zone 1, Soweto, to check if the system was in full swing.
The elderly told Sowetan yesterday that they were happy with the new pay system that would allow them to withdraw money from supermarkets.
Ellen Zuma, 68, said: "I do understand the system. It works better than the old one. Previously, we would arrive here and be told that the machines were off-line.
"We would then have to wait for a long time before we get our money. I think this system will work."
Idah Tshabalala, 65, echoed Zuma's sentiments.
"The system is quicker than the old one. I am more happy because I do not have to come here anymore. I can withdraw money from anywhere in the country at any time.
"The system is going to make it easier for me. I will no longer be subjected to long queues," Tshabalala said.
Dlamini said the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) was now using Cash Paymaster Services. In February, Dlamini announced that the department would be re-registering all social grants recipients.
The first phase of the re-registration process started on March 1, with new beneficiaries being enrolled on to a new biometric-based payment system at local offices of Sassa upon application.
As part of this process, Sekulula beneficiaries were also enrolled and issued with a new payment biometric-based card.
Since the process started, there have been more than 60000 new applications.
"To date, a total of 878000 (88%) of the Sekulula beneficiaries have re-registered. We request Sekulula beneficiaries who have not yet re-registered to do so at their nearest pay points from 2 April 2012 to receive their temporary Sassa payment card," said Dlamini.
She said by June 1, the system would be in full swing.
"We will take fingerprints of both parents and children. This will help us ensure that no one gets grant money when they are not living with the child it is meant for.
"We have had many problems in the past," Dlamini said.
She said beneficiaries would no longer have to go for reviews.
"Our system will automatically update data," she said.
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