'Scare campaign causing public anxiety': Dlamini
The Social Development Department has denied it has missed a second Constitutional Court deadline after the court issued a new directive to Minister Bathabile Dlamini and SASSA.
They were given until 3pm yesterday to explain why they'd missed Monday's deadline to give detailed answers on the social grants debacle.
Media reports say lawyers for the department and the agency delivered the documents 11 minutes late.
But the Department says these reports are not true, adding that the affidavits were submitted on time.
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The ConCourt wants to know when SASSA knew it won't be able to take over grants payments when its contract with Cash Paymaster Services expires at the end of the month.
Earlier yesterday, Dlamini told MPs in Parliament there is no social grants crisis.
"The opposition claims that there is a crisis at SASSA. It's nothing more than self-serving propaganda and political grandstanding of the highest order. They must stop with their scare campaign which has caused public pain and anxiety," she said.
MPs then criticised the minister with opposition parties including the DA, the EFF and IFP saying she must go.
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Themba Godi, the Chairperson of Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts, says Dlamini must be held responsible.
"Money to pay grants is there. What is missing is a contract with the service provider. Why do we not have a contract two weeks before the expiry of a five-year contract? This is a product of a well orchestrated, cynical plot to hold the country beholden to the infamous and controversial CPS company," he said.