A fake news article claiming SASSA accidentally paid grants to 17 000 illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe has been doing the rounds on social media.
SASSA says the fake message from a dodgy fake news website is incorrectly attributed to SASSA spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi.
A fake news article claiming SASSA accidentally paid grants to 17 000 illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe has been doing the rounds on social media.
SASSA says the fake message from a dodgy fake news website is incorrectly attributed to SASSA spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi.
“SASSA wishes to distance itself from this xenophobic article which
attempts to confuse the public and undermine government efforts to continue
providing a buffer against the levels of poverty in the country through the provision of
social security,” said Abraham Mahlangu, SASSA Acting CEO.
Mahlangu said this is not the first time that saboteurs have targeted SASSA with ridiculous and misleading reports.
“It seems that someone with malicious intent is deliberately trying
to stir the public’s emotions and confuse grant beneficiaries. What is more disturbing
is that this faceless person is trying to promote xenophobic attitudes and drive a
wedge among the diverse inhabitants of South Africa,” he said.
He added that this fake news unfortunately comes on the back of a situation where some beneficiaries were struggling to withdraw their grants as a result of a technical glitch which has since been resolved.
“We remain steadfast in pursuing our mandate of distributing social grants and we won’t be distracted by lowlifes who don’t have the interest of our beneficiaries at heart.
We are confident that the public won’t be swayed by such people who seek to
undermine its intelligence.”
“The social grant system is stabilised at the moment and going forward, we will
eliminate any possibility of technical problems on our system. SASSA
will pursue the legal route to ensure that these scoundrels are brought to book,” said the SASSA Acting CEO.