051 News/ Nuus

15/11/2022

Pitbulls being handed over in Bloemfontein, Free State today.

Forty-nine Pit bulls have been handed over to the SPCA in Bloemfontein. 35 were handed over on Monday while the rest were surrendered today.This follows the ...

10/11/2022

10/11/2022

13/05/2022

Mangaung Metro Ordinary Council meeting, 12 May 2022.
https://youtu.be/qz9K8lZsHKI

17/11/2021

Rus in vrede, Theuns Jordaan. Dankie vir jou bydrae tot Afrikaanse musiek. Jou stem mag dalk nou vir ewig stil wees, maar ons sal vir altyd ’n stukkie van jou musiek in ons hart saamdra. Ons eer jou nalatenskap.

13/08/2021

WEATHER:
SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED WARNING & ADVISORY FOR METRO
========================
Disruptive Rain Mangaung
2021/08/14 12:00:00 PM to 2021/08/15 11:59:59 PM
Difficult driving conditions on dirt roads can be expected as well as minor vehicle accidents due to reduced visibility and slippery roads. Flooding of roads that are susceptible and where the drainage systems are blocked are possible, especially in Kimberley and Bloemfontein.
*Warning
==========================
Also note:
Weather Advisory Mangaung
2021/08/13 12:28:57 PM to 2021/08/14 11:59:59 PM
Loss of livestock due to wet, windy, and very cold conditions, especially where light snowfall occurs. Outside pets are also vulnerable and can die if no shelter is provided. Vulnerable communities can also be affected and should make the necessary precautions. Difficult driving conditions can be expected if light snowfall occurs.
**Advisory

[ Source: SAWS / 13 Aug 2021 / 14:40 ]
Compiled by Metro Correspondent HESMBc for My Metro My Mangaung FB PAGE

12/07/2021

Police minister Bheki Cele has given a green light for the members of the South African National Defence Force to join the ongoing police patrols in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng

12/07/2021

10/07/2021

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity is calling on the government to reintroduce the special relief grant. It says the cost of the average household food basket has increased by over R270 in the past ten months.

08/07/2021

UCT graduate-in-waiting Tinéo Galela says the road to graduation was long and arduous, but she’s thankful to walk away with her degree.

07/07/2021

PAS BEKEND: Oudpres.
Jacob Zuma gee hom aan die polisie oor. Hy is deur die polisie van sy Nkandla-woning geneem.

JUST IN: The has tweeted that former President Zuma has decided to comply with the incarceration order.

17/05/2021

"Free State

*MANGAUNG SHUTDOWN PROTEST : UPDATES*

A 57 years old security guard has been arrested following the shooting of a teenage boy during violent shutdown protests in Mangaung this morning. It is alleged that a group of protesters went to attack a Warehouse in Dr Belcher road, Bloemfontein. The security guard who was alone at the time, fired a shot in a quest to scare the mob but unfortunately hit a 15 years old boy. The deceased died at the scene. The security guard was arrested and will appear in Bloemfontein Magistrate court on the charge of murder.

In another incident earlier today, the 41 years old complainant and manager of Mangaung Metro Solid Waste, was driving his white BMW on MacKenzie Street in Heidedal on the way to work when he was stopped by a Silver Isuzu Bakkie with registration number JkJ 673 NW.

Three males from the Bakkie approached him and one pointed him with a firearm and instructed him to get out of the vehicle. They then drove away with his BMW and after a few minutes the vehicle was recovered burnt at MacKenzie streets. A case of hijacking has been registered for further investigation.

The situation is still tense and closely monitored by the police."

-sourced from sm

17/05/2021

Currently happening in Bloemfontein, Free State. Protesting of poor service delivery in Mangaung municipality.

17/05/2021

*Protest Report *

"1.George Lebbu Road, near Power Station (Mangaung Area)

2. Moshoeshoe Road, from Action Garage till Kenworth Spar (Mangaung Area)

3. Taelo Molisiwa Road at the cross of Mafora and Dinaweng (Kagisanong Area)

4. Makoane Street (Kagisanong Area)

5. Moshoeshoe Road near Shoprite Center (Kagisanong Area)

6. Tau Street, Phase Two, near K.K Tarven (Kagisanong Area)

7. Dr Belchor Road, near Engen Garage (Heidedal Area)

8. Old Thaba Nchu Road, first entrance of Grassland (Bloemspruit Area)

9. Maphisa road
(Mangaung area)

10. Cross near Atang school
(Kopanong area)

11. N6 road and southpark cemetery
(Kagisanong area)

12. Lengau testing centre - All in order

13. Cross of Mothibi street and singonzo street.

14. Dewetsdorp road from Highway supply shops.(Bloemspruit area)

15.meadows road near klawer(Bloemspruit area)

Protestors were warned near fauna,direction to lourierpark,and they left with a white bakkie Reg no :######.
As alleged a group of community members blocked the roads with stones and burning tyres and they are throwing stones at the passing vehicles. POP informed.
All station vehicles are giving attention to the situation.
So far seven (7) suspects are arrested for public violence.
We are experiencing a problem with detention space as well. Stations are trying to accommodate as much as possible,due to covid 19."

-sourced from sm

14/12/2020

She falsified information that she had been admitted as an attorney.

04/12/2020

Explosion in Durban today

04/12/2020

https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/news/south-africa/2020-12-04-watch-massive-explosion-rocks-refinery-south-of-durban/

24/11/2020

NEW Funding Opportunity!

UNICEF, the Global Partnership to End Violence, and Giga are looking to make equity-free investments to provide seed finance to tech startups building frontier solutions for child online safety

Read more and apply here by 20 December: https://lnkd.in/gFZf8Zn

UNICEF Innovation Fund Call for Frontier Technology Solutions for Child Online Safety

12/11/2020

Party general secretary wanted over corruption allegations in Free State province

11/11/2020

ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule on Tuesday assured the people of Soweto that the governing party is not corrupt and that its leaders are willing to “correct” their individual mistakes

Meanwhile Free State Hawks Have issued Warrant of Arrest for ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule in Charges of Fraud and Corruption in R255 Million Asbestos Project , According to the findings Only 21 million of 255 Million was used in the Project which didn't end well up to now

Magashule is expected to appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday.
https://flyingnews.business.site/posts/6471150395527621876

Posted on 10-Nov-2020FlyingNewsMAGASHULE: I'VE DONE NOTHING WRONG, I'M A LAW ABIDING CITIZENThe African National Congress Secretary-General, Ace Magashule says he doesn’t fear the warrant of arrest issued by the Hawks. MIDRAND – African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule on ...

10/11/2020

https://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/son-of-former-mangaung-councillor-shot-dead-during-alleged-burglary/

The family of 24-year-old Jaron de Bruin from Heidedal is demanding answers after he had been fatally shot this morning, allegedly by a police officer. Jaron, the son of former Mangaung councillor John de Bruin, lost his life this morning during an incident that took place around 02:00 in Paper Stre...

06/11/2020

🚨🚨SAPS Heidedal Alert in relation to previous post🚨🚨

"Feedback : I am at the station as we speak , The child's mother was here. The child and his mother were taken home. The police assisted them very well and professionally.
Thanx everyone for your ubunti spirit."
(Sgt. B.R Oliphant)

06/11/2020

🚨🚨Alert from SAPS Heidedal, Bloemfontein🚨🚨

HELP THE POLICE TO TRACE THE BOY'S PARENTS.

This afternoon the taxi conductor at Lee-Marco taxi rank in Heidedal arrived at Heidedal Police Station with a boy child estimated to be 7 years old. The child arrived at the taxi rank earlier and the personnel at the rank noticed that he was alone and could not speak.

The child is wearing a blue vest with mixed colours at the front, jean shorts and brown shoes.

The police is requesting help from any member of the public who knows the parents of a child who could have lost his way home around Lee-Marco taxi rank. The contact number at the police station is 051 409 7200.

26/10/2020

"HIER KOM 'n 2de HARDE LOCKDOWN WAARSKUWING

President Cyril Ramaphosa sal hierdie week die land toespreek namate die aantal COVID-19-gevalle in Suid-Afrika steeds toeneem.

Leanne Manas het op SABC News gesê Ramaphosa het dit die naweek tydens 'n geleentheid bevestig.

"Hy het gesê dat dit nou lankal tyd is dat hy die land sal toespreek en dit sal hierdie week aanbreek," het Manas gesê.
Die jongste statistieke toon dat die totale aantal bevestigde COVID-19-gevalle in Suid-Afrika 715 868 is, 'n styging van 1 622 van die vorige dag.

Wat kommerwekkend is, is dat die gemiddelde aantal nuwe daaglikse gevalle 1 259 tussen 25 September en 1 Oktober was.

Dit het tussen 16 en 22 Oktober tot 1 706 toegeneem, 'n tendens wat die regering se amptenare, waaronder Sihle Zikalala, KwaZulu-Natal, se kommer laat ontstaan.
Hy het gewaarsku dat die terugkeer na 'n harde afsluiting op die kaart is, tensy daar 'n afname in die aantal sake is.
"As ons na die statistieke kyk, kan ons met veiligheid sê dat ons beslis weer in 'n harde uitsluiting gaan as daar geen dringende en drastiese verandering in gedrag is nie," het Zikalala gesê.

Hy het gesê dat 'n tweede golf van COVID-19 'sterker en dodeliker' sal wees - nie net in sterftes nie, maar ook in terme van ekonomiese swaarkry.

Zikalala het sakeondernemings, veral diegene in die gasvryheidsbedryf, versoek om die regulasies van die sluitingsvlak van vlak 1 na te kom.

"Daar is geen nut om winste vandag na te jaag nie, maar om môre deur 'n harde afsluiting gesluit te word," het hy gesê.
Hy het 'die' roekelose handel in alkohol 'gesoneer, wat die potensiaal het om al die vordering wat ons gemaak het om ons gesondheidsorgstelsel voor te berei op 'n moontlike aanslag van COVID-19, te ontspoor.

"Ons kan dit nie duld nie, en daarom sal ons inspekteurs ten volle optree om die wet toe te pas," het hy gesê.
Qondile Khedama, woordvoerder van die Mangaung-metro, herhaal Zikalala se beroep dat vermaaklikheidsondernemings “baie sensitief” moet wees, want dit is waar hulle probleme opgedoen het.

Mondli Mvambi, woordvoerder van die gesondheid in die Vrystaat, het ook gesê dat die land die tweede vlaag COVID-19-infeksies moet voorkom.
'Mense het hul wag laat val. Hulle het ophou om maskers met integriteit te dra, ”het hy gesê." - SABC news

29/09/2020

More than 2 million people lost their jobs while we were under lockdown, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey. Anelisa Tuswa has more on the story.

11/07/2020

How do you feel about Covid-19? share your thoughts ...🙌

10/06/2020

Date: Wednesday, 10 June 2020

GREY SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL HANDLES A COVID19 CASE

The Free State Departments of Education and Health responded swiftly to a reported case of Covid19 at Grey Senior Secondary School. Close contacts of the learner at school are already subjected to Quarantine whilst doing everything according to health protocols to trace all close contacts of the learner from Pietermaritzburg in KZN including the Grandparents in Bloemfontein.

The school will not be closed, instead the authorities will cordon off the affected areas where a learner who has tested positive has been to and the environment that the learner has interacted with.

We appeal for calm amongst the school community (Teachers, Learners and Administrators) of the school as decontamination will be done at all identified sites at the school.

The joint teams of Education and Health working with staff at Grey are ensuring that as the contacts are rounded up and all the Covid19 protocols are followed to ensure that adequate Infection Prevention Control measures are done.

Please take care of yourself by practicing the basic principles of hygiene such as:

•washing your hands with running water and soap for between 20 and 40 seconds,
•use 70% alcohol based hand sanitizer if you can’t access water and soap, •cover your cough and sneeze with your folded arm or with a tissue that must be easily and safely disposed in a closed lid bin.
•Use your three ply or layered cloth face mask whenever you leave your home and going to public places,
•keep a safe social distance of 1 to 2 meters between yourself and the next person.
•No handshaking, hugging and kissing.

Each person in our school community can practice the above mentioned prevention actions and help to curb the spread of Covid19. There is no evidence that this virus is airborne. However, it is spread through droplets that can lend on a person through cough and sneeze or through touching surfaces that have these droplets then touching your mouth, nose and eyes with unclean hands.

There is no need for panic as the school has laid all the basic systems in place to ensure the safety of learners against Covid19.

The strict adherence to basic prevention principles that are applied in our schools are proving to be working because without these, this case would not have been identified as quickly as we done. We appeal to everyone to always practice the Covid19 safety measures at all times.

We must all be supportive and not be driven by fear when handling any Covid19 situation case in any school, as it is predicted that during these cold winter months it can eventually infect everyone.

Although there’s no cure to Covid19, we know that there’s a higher number of recoveries. Please take extra care if you have any other underlying health issue to avoid getting sick. We plead for proactive prevention actions from everyone by following the basic health hygiene practices and staying away from environments that can infect you.

Every Covid19 person must be safely kept in isolation facility as may be prescribed by health officials or safely quarantined in health department facilities.

End.

Issued by Howard Ndaba, Spokesperson: Free State Department of Education, (079) 503-5485

03/06/2020

All communities being serviced by the Mangaung police station are advised that this police station has been temporarily closed due to one of its members having tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

The community Service Centre will now be operating from the Lesley Monnanyane Hall which is located just behind the Home Affairs offices in Moshoeshoe road.

People are advised to call 10111 for all emergencies and complaints which will be attended by Mangaung cluster; Operational Command Centre members.

The telephone lines at Mangaung police station community service centre will not be accessible for the duration of closure.

The building will be undergoing decontamination and the community will be informed when the station will be operational again.

That SAPS management apologises for any inconvenience that may arise from this. The Acting Station Commander Commander; Colonel Lefefa can be contacted at: 0636882692

Sent by Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo

29/05/2020

28th May 2020

ANCWL STATEMENT ON THE COURT JUDGEMENT AGAINST MS DUDU MYENI

The African National Congress Women's League has noted with disappointment that Judge Ronel Tolmay has declared Ms Dudu Myeni a delinquent Director.

Whilst we respect the independence of the Courts, it is our view that Ms Myeni must consider appealing the judgment delivered by Judge Tolmay.The Supreme Court of Appeal might arrive to the different conclusion on this matter and overturn the judgement delivered by Judge Ronel Tolmay at the North Gauteng High Court.

It is not far fetched to suggest that some attacks directed to Ms Myeni eminates from the fact that during her tenure as SAA Board Chairperson, amongst others, she challenged the SAA for spending over R10 billion per annum on Jet fuel and the suppliers for the fuel were five white owned companies. The five white owned suppliers have been solely supplying SAA with jet fuel for around 85yrs now.

The stance of Ms Myeni against having black owned businesses only benefitting the 2% of about R24 billion of annual procurement did not sit well with defenders white supremacists and their ilks. Ms Myeni exposed the evergreen contracts signed in the 90's that entitled retired and resigned white pilots from SAA to receive SAA benefits even after being employed by other airlines.

It is also common knowledge that in 1998 American consultant Coleman Andrews was appointed as CEO of SAA. Various reports indicates that during his two-and-a-half year tenure as the CEO he was paid was paid out as much as R200 million tax free. Reportedly, during his tenure not less than 15 fully paid aircraft from the SAA fleet were sold by SAA. Ironically SAA immediately started leasing from their purchasers. In less than two years he appointed his own company, Bain and Company, as consultants that earned R209 million in consultants fees. In the same period, another R118 million was paid to nine other expatriates he had appointed to executive positions at SAA.

On the 9th of October 2019, Edward Nathan Sonneberg released a report which amongst others listed irregular payments of about R685 036 241 incurred by SAA. South Africans who are dedicated to the fight against fraud and corruption must unite and demand for Coleman Andrews, the 32 companies that benefitted from irregular payments and other beneficiaries of fraud and corruption in SAA to face the full might of the law.

The ANCWL stands in support of Ms Myeni against the judgment delivered by Judge Ronel Tolmay at the North Gauteng High Court.

Issued by: Meokgo a Matuba
ANCWL Secretary General

Enquiries to a Toko Xasa
ANCWL Spokesperson
0826523131

23/05/2020

DATE : 23 MAY 2020

PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS THE NATION ON SUNDAY 24 MAY 2020

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 19h00 tomorrow, Sunday 24 May 2020, on developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19.

The President’s address follows recent meetings of Cabinet, the National Coronavirus Command Council and the President’s Coordinating Council, which considered the prospects for the country’s progression from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 of the national lockdown.

As part of exploring a possible prospects and assessing the continuing health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic, President Ramaphosa has also held consultative meetings with the business, labour and community constituencies of the National Economic Development and Labour Council; leaders of political parties represented in Parliament; traditional leaders; leadership of interfaith communities; the South African Council of Churches, and the tourism industry, which is the single largest source of employment in the private sector.

The President’s address will be broadcast live on television and radio and will be streamed live on a range of online platforms.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation will provide a pool feed to broadcasters.

Arrangements for the pool feed can be made with Mr Thoke at the SABC.

Public enquiries: Presidential Hotline 17737

COVID-19 Specific enquiries: NICD Hotline 0800 0029 999

Media enquiries: Spokesperson to the President, Khusela Diko on [email protected]

ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

27/04/2020

27 APRIL 2020

ANC STATEMENT ON FREEDOM DAY

On this day twenty-six years ago, a government based on the will of the people was voted into power.
The overwhelming majority of South Africans voted for the ANC and thus made a commitment to construct a society characterised by a decisive break with our ugly past. In so doing, South Africans responded to the Freedom Charter injunction that no government can claim authority unless it is based on the will of all the people.

April 27 1994 remains indelibly etched in our collective memory. It was a year in which we began in earnest the process of reconstructing and developing our country.

South Africans appreciate the significance of this day and the sacrifices that many of our country’s citizens paid for us to enjoy this freedom. Indeed, democracy did not come cheap. Our path to freedom was paved with the blood, tears and sweat of our people.

South Africans must be proud of the significant successes of the last 26 years. Today, we can say with confidence that out of the womb of an unjust and inhuman society has emerged a new society based on the values of justice, freedom and democracy. Our people were liberated from the evil policies that sought to condemn them to landlessness and poverty.

We have a collective duty never to take our freedom for granted.

Today, we can say without any fear of contradiction that we live in a country that truly belongs to all of us. Many now have access to decent health care, education and shelter. Their dignity has been restored.

However, despite the progress we have registered since 1994, much more still needs to be done. Today as we remember those who sacrificed for our liberation, we must recommit ourselves to working tirelessly towards eradicating the legacy of apartheid and colonialism.
Until all South Africans are free from unemployment, economic exclusion, hunger and poverty, preventable disease and crime, South Africa will not have attained the ultimate freedom for which many of our martyrs laid down their lives.

We are marking Freedom Day at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the entire world. The pandemic left our government with no choice but to declare a national lockdown to restrict the movement of people in order to halt the spread of the deadly virus.
Our caring government consulted with all South Africans on these measures and continues to engage with the people on a daily basis to update them on the progress we are making against the disease.
It is upon the rest of each one of us to continue to fight the spread of coronavirus by adhering to the regulations and practicing safe hygiene.

We may be separated from one another, but we are united in our fight against COVID19.

Protect Yourself. Defend Each Other: Let’s Do It Together

END

ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, CDE ACE MAGASHULE

Enquiries:
P**e Mabe
National Spokesperson
071 623 4875

22/04/2020

How do you feel about the President Cyril Ramaphosa's address to the nation of last night, let's talk...?

20/04/2020

Several police officers, stationed at Namahadi in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, have been arrested for drinking alcohol while on duty.

17/04/2020

To Assist everyone during this Covid-19 pandemic, Grade 12 previous Question Papers and Answers from 2008 to 2019 have been compiled. Grade 12 learners are advised to use them to practice during Coronavirus Lockdown. Only available in English please follow the links below:

Maths Literacy
Link: https://bit.ly/2w8TmS7

Mathematics
Link: http://bit.ly/2MiAghT

Accounting
Link: https://bit.ly/2yqPsVr

Business Studies
Link: https://bit.ly/2X7ACNR

Consumer Studies
Link: https://bit.ly/345dLEa

Economics Studies
Link: https://bit.ly/39ExQCr

Physical Sciences
Link: https://bit.ly/39GCDU6

Life Sciences
Link: https://bit.ly/2UFcOzy

Geography
Link: https://bit.ly/2wPBUTh

History
Link: https://bit.ly/3bR3E8T

Agricultural Sciences
Link: https://bit.ly/2UX9Hlo

English First Additional Language (FAL)
Link: https://bit.ly/2UVGg3b

English Home Language (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/2JBY1iQ

Sepedi Leleme La G*e (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/2UF9cO0

IsiZulu Ulimi Lwasekhaya (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/2URpEcA

IsiXhosa Ulwimi Lwasekhaya (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/3bTqgpj

Xitsonga Ririmi Ra Le Kaya (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/39GxTxM

Tshivenda Luambo Lwa Hayani (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/2ynwYVR

Siswati Home Language (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/2yyJVwp

Setswana Puo Ya G*e (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/3dSUUAU

IsiNdebele Ilimi Lekhaya (HL)
Link: https://bit.ly/3dTWP87

(PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO PARENTS, LEARNERS AND TEACHERS)

Here’s a collection of past Maths Literacy papers plus memos to help you prepare for the matric finals. 2018 May/June: 2018 Mathematical Literacy Paper 1 2018 Mathematical Literacy Paper 1 Addendum 2018 Mathematical Literacy Paper 1 Memorandum 2018 Mathematical Literacy Paper 2 2018 Mathematical...

17/04/2020

The Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg metros are making plans for a possible flood of deaths

09/04/2020

Media Statement on Mayor Speelman Offensive Speech to Members of the SANDF

09 April 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is aware and is taking action relating to a video circulating on social media in which the Mayor of Matjhabeng, Mr. Nkosinjani Speelman, in the Free State, refers to members of the Coloured community in Bronville, Welkom, using words that are not only offensive but may also negatively touch on their dignity as human beings. The Commission also notes that its Provincial Office in the Free State had called upon the Mayor to apologise.

The SAHRC views Mayor Speelman’s utterances in a very serious light. For this reason, the Commission is of the view that Mayor Speelman’s apology would not suffice and has thus initiated a full, own initiative, investigation to be conducted by the Secretariat into the utterances of the Mayor and the report to be presented to Commissioners at the earliest opportunity. Having listened to the full video, the Commission is appalled that Mayor Speelman, a government official and community leader, also encouraged soldiers not to hesitate to shoot and to brutalise the people of Bronville. This is a call on the soldiers to violate the Constitution and the rights of the community to life and freedom and security of the person. The Commission condemns this conduct in the strongest terms and hopes that the President, who had earlier painstakingly pleaded with the soldiers and SAPS members not to use violence against, but must assist communities, to hold accountable those who repudiate his instructions in this regard.

The Commission has also been made aware of the community’s complaints relating to poor service delivery impacting on the realisation of their rights. The Commission will launch a full investigation into these once the national lockdown ends.

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 [email protected]

09/04/2020

SASSA MEDIA STATEMENT

08 April 2020

SASSA Grant Payment Dates Changed

Lessons learnt from the last payment cycle during the National Lockdown have compelled SASSA to review the payment dates going forward. As from the month of May 2020 disability and Older Persons Grants will be paid from the 4th day of the month. All other grants will be paid from the 6th of every month.

The grant payment for April was brought forward to the 30 March 2020 and the first two days were dedicated to people with disabilities and older persons to ensure compliance with the State of Disaster requirements. Impatient child support grant beneficiaries could not wait for the 1st of April and descended upon payment channels as early as 30 March. This posed all sorts of health challenges and it became difficult at some stores and ATM’s to maintain social distancing. There was also a nasty scene in a Dobsonville shopping centre in Soweto where a group of youngsters were captured on video pushing older people in order to access payment infrastructure first.

In response to this unpleasant experience, SASSA started consulting role players such as National Treasury, South African Post Office, the banking association, retailers, and the consumer goods council among others. What came out of the consultations is that people with disabilities and the aged need to be protected from the month end rush at payment outlets and therefore payment needs to be staggered in such a way that these categories of beneficiaries receive their grants before others. To effect this SASSA will make use of two payment files. The first one will cover the aged and the disabled while the second payment file will cover all other grant types.

Some older persons use one card to also receive child support and foster child grants. In such cases they will be able to access all linked grants from the 4th of every month.
Once the money is in the account, it will remain there until it is needed.

“Money deposited into your account is safe and will not be taken back if not used. There is no need to rush to withdraw cash on the first day we deposit it into your account. The SASSA card can be used as a debit card to pay for purchases, therefore it is not necessary to withdraw cash and thereafter purchase goods with the cash”; Busisiwe Memela SASSA CEO pleaded with beneficiaries.

Issued on behalf of the South African Social security Agency