NATIONAL NEWS - Gauteng Premier’s spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga said Gauteng would see 648 495 elderly citizens receive their grants and 120 163 disability grants distributed.
He said 700 000 beneficiaries would receive their grants directly through their bank account or agencies such as Shoprite and Checkers.
Mhaga said 1 757 beneficiaries would receive their grants in cash from nine paypoints across the province.
“The Post Office will make available 5 000 litres of hand sanitisers for the elderly and 30 000 pairs of hand gloves for staff,” said Mhaga.
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu said her department had plans to protect the beneficiaries.
“We note the anxiety and fears that this pandemic has caused millions of South African families, especially the most vulnerable in our society.”
Zulu said there was no need to panic and rush to paypoints as social grants would be paid from 30 and 31 March.
She said they would start with the pensioners and those with disabilities to alleviate overcrowding.
“All other social grants will be paid on the 1st of April as per schedule.
She said both Sassa and the post office had finalised all logistical arrangements pertaining to social grants payment.
“We will publish the list and contact details all Sassa Regional Managers that members of the public can contact if they experience any challenges.”
Zulu said the Sassa and post offices call centres would remain operational to respond to public enquiries.
“We are deploying Sassa officials at all paypoints to monitor and report on all service delivery challenges.
“We have directed all provinces to provide accommodation and meals to people working and living in the streets, including children.”
She said provinces were working with municipalities in this regard.
Zulu said she also directed all provinces to put in place mechanisms to consistently monitor vulnerable older persons who might be staying on their own.
“Provinces are recruiting additional 1 809 social service personnel to provide psychosocial support to affected families.
“We are focusing on unemployed social workers who benefited from the Department’s Scholarship Programme,” she said.
The Gauteng government is currently recruiting over 400 healthcare workers across various disciplines.
“We call upon health professionals to avail their skills to help contain the spread of the virus.”
It applauded the work of NGOs in assisting vulnerable groups by providing housing and essential necessities.
“We also thank those patriotic South Africans who have come to the fore in these trying times to donate their time and much needed resources.”
Gauteng has set-up a Covid-19 donations hotline on 072-633-0515 and email covid19.donations@gauteng.gov.za.
However, “the provincial government will not be taking any financial contributions. All financial contributions should be directed to the Solidarity Response Fund set up by the national government on www.solidarityfund.co.za”.
