a) Whether her office has addressed the issues it had identified relating to security issues around the SA Social Security Agency cards and Post Office accounts?
Yes, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation conducted an extensive frontline monitoring at the paypoints and produced a report that has been shared with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
DPME made extensive recommendations to improve the payment mechanism. Engagements on this report is ongoing and will be considered in the review of the MTSF in preparations for the 7th administration. In the meantime, DPME continues to monitor the immediate interventions being introduced by the Department of Social Development and Department of Communications and Digital through their entities, SASSA and the Postbank.
B. Whether her office has found alternative mechanisms for making safe payments; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Yes, this is ongoing as the recommendations of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation are being discussed internally within government.
THANK YOU