Government must investigate those responsible for the “embarrassing” social grants saga and act decisively against them‚ the African National Congress said on Friday.

The party was reacting to a ruling by the Constitutional Court to extend a contract for the payment of social grants.

While the court ruling was welcomed‚ the party said the “regrettable events over the past few weeks were unnecessary and should never have happened”.

“The ANC further calls for harsh consequence management as a deterrent to a repeat of this matter‚” it said in a statement.

Sassa CEO: We dropped the ballSA Social Security Agency chief executive‚ Thokozani Magwaza has apologised to for the crisis surrounding social grants. 

“Government must thoroughly investigate actions of those involved and act decisively against those responsible for this embarrassing and undesirable situation.

“It is unacceptable that such a critical aspect of our social security net‚ affecting the security and livelihood of the most vulnerable in our country‚ was not dealt with much better in a speedy manner to avoid the unnecessary panic and anxiety caused.”

ConCourt wants Dlamini to explain why she should not cough up for grants legal costsMinister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini has been ordered to explain to the Constitutional Court why she should not pay from her own pocket for the costs of an application that dealt with the grant payment debacle. 

President Jacob Zuma and Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini did not appear to share the party view earlier when they assured the nation that there was no grants crisis.