From: Lindy Wilson [mailto:
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 12:52 PM
To: '' <
Subject: QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO THE RFIPRESENTATIONs - 12/ 13 JANUARY 2017 - 36 and 37/16/ICT

Good Day,

Herewith my questions for urgent response, following the RFI Presentation for the SASSA Banking and Payments.

  1. In light of the fact that SASSA did not meet the 7 deliverable in the Constitutional Court Judgement of November 2014, and Mr Zane Dangor’s admission that the Supervisory Mandate of the Grants Takeover had reverted to the Constitutional Court, please advise if :
  1. The Court approved the RFI briefing.
  2. The Con Court perused and approved the RFI presentation and documentation, as well as the tender related hereto.
  1. Which work stream at SASSA, led by who, drew up the RFI and is it in line with the National Treasury regulations.
  2. Is the work stream group and Leader of the team the same members who drew up the RFP when CPS/Net1 were awarded the contract.
  3. Is this RFI in line with the RFP which was drawn up as a result of the Constitutional Court Order.
  4. Was this RFI presented and approved by the SASSA executive committee.
  5. SASSA’s mandate arises from the SASSA Act, sections 3 and 4. Does this RFI not alter the SASSAmandate. (Your introduction)
  6. SASSA’s role is to administer, manage and pay social grants. The financing of grants money is allocated to the Department by National Treasury and the Department must account for the budget. What does finance mean in this context.
  7. Social Development Policies are developed by the Department and SASSA implements according to policy. Can you please advise.
  1. Is this RFI and its requirements in line with policies…
  2. What are the innovative services – as SASSA is required to pay social grants as per the Social Assistance Act and its regulations.
  3. Under which Act/Policy does the concept of “Social Assistance Grants” arise. (see the slogan (iii).
  1. Section 4 of the SASSA Act details the functions of SASSA – please advise if the “key functions”, as stated in the RFI
  1. Confirm that (i) – (v) are merely processes.
  2. (h) payment innovations – what does this entail. In the previous tenders for payment of social grants, innovation was not encouraged. The RFP 11/14/BS submitted by SASSA to the constitutional court under Payment Solution Principles, 3.3.5 states that “ whilst innovation is essential, options such as celluar payments and e wallets will not be endounce, due to the nature of the clientele served” – what is SASSA’s strategic intent.
  1. Business Requirements – Backround, please advise :
  1. What is SASSA’s understanding of financial inclusion – considering the limitations imposed on special accounts under 6.5 of the RFI; and the fact that the Minister/Department amended regulation 21 of the Social Assistance Regulations to prohibit any debits on beneficiary accounts (which amendment is a subject of litigation.)
  1. Cash Distribution and pay-point management – In terms of the Social Assistance Regulations a “a designated place” means a place designated by the Agency by a notice in the Gazette for making applications for social assistance, or for the payment of social assistance” . Please advise –
  1. What a biometrically enabled pay points.
  2. Has SASSA designated any biometrically enable pay points?
  3. Is the requirement for a biometrically enabled pay point in line with the Social Assistance Regulations.
  4. Will the beneficiaries and payment service providers not be as risk of robbery if grants are paid in the comfort of the homes of beneficiaries over 75 years.
  5. Will SASSA then designate private homes as pay points?
  6. Under what legislation will paying in private homes be done.
  7. What research has been done to determine the advantages and disadvantages of this and where is it available.
  1. In terms of Social Assistance Regulations – “biometric identification” means a fingerprint or palm print. – this means that biometric identification is primarily applicable to beneficiaries/recipients who receive their grants in cash/manually at paypoints – (until legislation is amended??) –
  1. Does the requirement for biometric proof of life apply to all beneficiaries irrespective of whether they get their grants through the bank (EFT) or at cash paypoints.
  2. If so, what legislation supports this.
  3. If not, can the service providers be expected to conduct their services contrary to applicable legislation/laws.
  4. The current service provider has been paid to do the biometric verification of all current grants recipients/beneficiaries. Is the expectation that the process must be redone with a new service provider, and if so why…..
  1. Are all grants recipients forced to use the new SASSAcards.
  1. If so, what happens to those beneficiaries/recipients who currently have or choose to use their own bank accounts.
  2. No deductions or deposits will be allowed on these cards – does this not take away the financial freedom and rights and dignity of our people to manage their finances as they wish..
  3. Many have legal deductions for policies etc, will they now be forced to open another bank account in order to ensure that they have the financial freedom to protection of themselves and their families and if so…..what about the extra costs.

I look forward to your earliest response.

LINDY WILSON MP

SHADOW DEPUTY MINISTER : SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

DA CONSTITUENCY HEAD : NORTH EAST - Tzaneen, Phalaborwa, Maruleng

MOBILE: 082 353 9648