social security

Call to Establish Inspectorate for Social Assistance
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the establishment of an Inspectorate for Social Assistance will enable the South African Social Security Agency to better assist impoverished South Africans.

DA social development spokesperson, Patricia Kopane, points out that, "The DA believes that the introduction of a robust Inspectorate is of the utmost priority if the mismanagement and corruption that is rampant in [South African Social Security Agency] SASSA is to be abated."

The Department of Social Development is failing to establish the Inspectorate for Social Assistance, mandated to maintain the integrity of SASSA, despite being provided for in Chapter 4 of the Social Assistance Act, Act 13 of 2004.

To read the article titled, “Way to go for SASSA,” click here.

Source:

Sowetan
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15m South Africans Receive Social Grants
President, Jacob Zuma, says close to 15 million South Africans obtain social grants from the Department of Social Development.

Speaking in Cape Town where he delivered his State of the Nation Address 2011, Zuma pointed out that, “We will phase in the extension of the Child Support Grant to cover eligible children under the age of 18 years.”

He further said that since his administration is building a developmental and not a welfare state, the social grants will be linked to economic activity and community development, to enable short-term beneficiaries to become self-supporting in the long run.

For more about the State of the Nation Address 2011, click here.

Source:

South African Government Online
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SASSA Audit Gets Disclaimer
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), which distributes social grants to more than 14 million people, has received a disclaimer from the Auditor-General, due to poor record-keeping in the past financial year.

The agency’s 2009-10 annual report was only filed in Parliament last week, several months after its due date. The financial statements were submitted to Auditor-General’s office only in August last year, instead of before May 31 as required by law.

A disclaimer is the worst audit opinion on financial statements. It means there is not sufficient evidence to provide a basis for an audit opinion.

To read the article titled, “Social security agency audit gets disclaimer,” click here.

Source:

Business Day
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Crossing the Threshold of Regionalism
Crossing the Threshold of Regionalism is a policy brief that reviews social security systems in Southern Africa. In the context of increased cross border migration as a result of deeper regional integration and deteriorating living conditions in some countries, the brief examines the possibility of social benefits for migrant workers in Southern Africa being portable across countries in the region.

For more information, click here (PDF).
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