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Timely intervention stops illegal deductions from grandmother’s Sassa grant

By

Gladys Bhalasana
Gladys Bhalasana

Dear MyPE

After two years of being a victim of illegal and fraudulent deductions of R100 per month from her SASSA account, Gladys Bhalasana, a 60-year-old widowed grandmother, is receiving her full grant, thanks to intervention by the Democratic Alliance. Mrs. Bhalasana relies on a child grant for the care of her five grandchildren from Zwide Township in Port Elizabeth. For a picture of Mrs. Bhalasana, click here.

A caring DA-government would ensure that SASSA officials are friendly, helpful and responsive to vulnerable people’s complaints. For many of our people, an extra R100 per month can save them from having going to bed hungry.

After many failed attempts for help from SASSA officials in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro to investigate and correct illegal deductions from her SASSA account, I spearheaded an investigation on her behalf.

I found that a policy for funeral insurance that was allegedly signed by Mrs. Bhalasana was indeed fraudulently signed and incomplete, with a beneficiary unknown to her.

I am very pleased to report that the matter has been successfully resolved and Mrs. Bhalasana has received a lump sum payment and the correct monthly child care grant to care for her grandchildren. For a letter from Mrs. Bhalasana, click here.

We urge members of the public who find themselves in similar situations as Gladys Bhalasana to enquire about illegal deductions from their SASSA accounts at their nearest SASSA office and to request an investigation.

If SASSA officials are reluctant to assist them, we, as a caring DA government-in-waiting, will assist people to fight illegal and fraudulent deductions.

Regards

Kobus Botha, MPL

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