What's going on with South Africa's social grants?

OVER the past week, two big announcements from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have drawn public attention.

- YASMINE JACOBS [e-mail]

SASSA confirmed that social grant payments will continue despite legal and contractual woes and revealed an increase in grant amounts beginning in October.

Here's a breakdown of what's happening, why it matters, and what recipients should expect.

Key announcements:

1. Continuity of grant payments despite termination of service contract SASSA has confirmed that social grant payments will continue uninterrupted. This comes despite the Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Postbank being terminated.

A recent ruling by the North Gauteng High Court dismissed Postbank's urgent application to block the termination. The judge held that the matter was not sufficiently urgent and that Postbank had long been aware of SASSA's intentions.