SASSA beneficiaries may lose their social grants if they keep on trusting loan sharks.
The warning came from the agency’s Eastern Cape spokeswoman, Sandy Godlwana.
She told Daily Sun: “We have strengthened our fight against the illegal activities of money-lenders that are rife in the region.
“We are working with police agencies to ensure that loan sharks who target Sassa beneficiaries are brought to book.
“We have implemented the integrated community registration outreach programme and are using trucks to visit 81 poor wards. We have already been to 40 wards, where we educated people on how to deal with money-lenders.”
She said people who work with loan sharks may lose their social grants.
“In terms of the Social Assistance Act, the minister of social development is empowered to order termination or suspension of a grant where the beneficiary has transferred or pledged a grant without permission.
“We urge the public to be vigilant. Keep your Sassa card safe and don’t share it with anyone.
“It is illegal to leave your card with a money-lender in exchange for a loan.”
She also said a Sassa card cannot be exchanged for another card.
“Beneficiaries must not to listen to anybody offering them new cards. Our cards are issued only at Sassa offices, not in the street.
“If you link your Sassa card to a new card, you’ll be hit by bank charges and unauthorised deductions,” Godlwana said.
