Delays Punish the Poor for System Failures

GOOD Statement by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General:

The GOOD Party condemns the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) decision to delay the July grant payments for thousands of beneficiaries flagged for “review.” This is yet another bureaucratic blow to the poorest of the poor, who rely on grants not as a luxury, but as a lifeline.

SASSA claims that no grants have been suspended, only the payment dates have been shifted. But for a family living hand-to-mouth, even a one-day delay in receiving income can mean the difference between eating and going hungry. Transport is expensive and queuing at SASSA offices for hours on end, often repeatedly, comes at a cost the poor simply cannot afford.

In its statement, SASSA admits that many affected beneficiaries were never informed of the review process because their contact information was out of date. Yet the agency now expects these same people to somehow know to present themselves in person for re-verification, or risk suspension. This is not administrative oversight, it is systemic cruelty.

GOOD supports efforts to root out fraud. But the entire system cannot be recalibrated around a handful of bad actors at the expense of millions of desperate citizens.

The truth is that this review process forms part of a broader pattern of exclusion. From algorithmic profiling of SRD applicants to quarterly “savings” targets on cancelled grants, the focus has shifted from serving the poor to policing them. The State has no business treating social assistance as a favour instead of a constitutional right.

The GNU has committed to building a just and caring society. The GOOD Party will continue to advocate for a Basic Income Grant and for reforms that treat people with the dignity they deserve. Poverty is not a crime.

GOOD Manifesto on Transparency in Governance: Promoting transparency and accountability in government operations.

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