SASSA, Ntlemeza rulings reason for ANC to 'pause and reflect', says Cosatu

The trade union federation released a statement saying two judgements handed down by the courts are reason for the governing party to "pause and reflect".

The Constitutional Court extended by 12 months the current contract between the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Cash Paymaster Services (CPS).

It comes after both Sassa and the social development department failed to make alternative arrangements to pay out more than 17 million social grants on the first of April.

Meanwhile, the North Gauteng High Court ruled the 2015 appointment of the Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza unlawful and invalid.

The court criticised Police Minister Nathi Nhleko for appointing Ntlemeza, despite a court describing the then acting Hawks head as dishonest in 2015.

Cosatu says South Africa cannot constantly rely on institutions such as the courts or the Public Protector to intervene when government fails to execute its own tasks.

"It is obvious that these mistakes are all associated with the disrespect for the Constitution and rule of law by some government departments and political deployees," Cosatu warned.

"The ANC should make sure that all its deployees are instructed to work properly within the ambit of the law and that they avoid scoring unnecessary own goals by defending the indefensible," said the trade union federation. 

It again called for a more intensified fight against corruption.

The Police Minister is set to be summoned to parliament to explain to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police what remedial steps he will be taking.

While the Public Protector probe into the SASSA matter will continue regardless of the Constitutional Court ruling, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has less than two weeks left to submit affidavits to the highest court in the land.

The court wants her to explain why she should not be held personally liable for the social grants crisis.