The South African Communist Party said that the social grant payment crisis had exposed hypocrisy but said it certainly also warranted an independent forensic and corruption investigation.
In a statement Thursday, the SACP said that “there must be an independent forensic and corruption investigation into how as a country we were driven to this point.”
SACP spokesperson, Alex Mashilo, said that “all those who have been involved in building up the situation, whether by omission or commission, must be held accountable for their negligence, complicity and other forms of wrongdoing.”
He said the Department of Social Development under the political leadership of Minister Bathabile Dlamini supported by President Jacob Zuma recently assured the country that the grants will be paid.
But, he said “the social grants were paid but by means of an unlawful tender awarded to a foreign monopoly capital, the United States based NET1 UEPS via its Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) in South Africa.”
On Thursday during question time in parliament, President Zuma fielded several questions on the social grants saga and what action he would take against Social Development Minister, Bathabile Dlamini.
Zuma said that he could not punish someone for something that has not yet happened, referring to the fact that the deadline for the payment of social grants on 1 April had not yet passed.
In a strongly-worded statement after the Parliamentary debate, DA leader Mmmsi Maimane, said it was clear that President Zuma did not intend taking any action against Minister Dlamini.
“Today (Thursd) President Zuma told Parliament and the people of South Africa that there exists no social grants crisis. “This indicates a President out of touch with reality.”
“He has no interest in making sure that Minister Dlamini is held to account for her astounding lack of action and utter contempt - not only for the Constitutional Court - but for the 17 million poor and vulnerable people who depend on social grants for their livelihood and survival,” Maimane said.
“This is the very Minister who Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng yesterday called “incompetent” in discharging her responsibilities,” he said.
