ASSA grants: Be cautious of extortionists during payment collection
Certain SASSA grant recipients have been cautioned about potential threats this festive season. Find out if you’re at risk.
SASSA grant recipients are set to receive their December 2024 payments this week, with January 2025 grants also confirmed. However, they aren’t the only ones eager to receive this essential financial support during the holidays.
Extortionists are also eyeing the recipients’ grants and have started targeting the elderly and disabled, The Citizen reported on 27 November 2024. Extortion has been a worrying trend in South Africa, affecting most industries, now extending to some of the most vulnerable members of society. Here’s a warning and safer ways to receive your SASSA grant this festive season.
SASSA GRANT BENEFICIARIES TARGETED BY EXTORTIONISTS
The Portfolio Committee of Police was informed on 27 November 2024 about how extortion in the country has spread to the elderly, blind and disabled citizens receiving SASSA grants. This was during an update on the issue of extortion across SA and the planned interventions to strengthen detective services.
Lieutenant-General Khosi Senthumule expressed: “Vulnerable communities such as the disabled, blind and pensioners have had their social grants being extorted by criminals.”
WHY IS EXTORTION MORE RAMPANT DURING FESTIVE SEASON?
The police committee’s chair Ian Cameron revealed the reasons why there are more cases of extortion even with SASSA grant beneficiaries during the festive season. He said increase in economic activities during this busy time of the year is one of the causes.
Cameron also said extortionists find a gap during holiday time when some law enforcement are assigned to focus on certain locations around the country or take leave. He said: “This creates a temporary gap in security coverage which criminals may exploit.”
WHEN ARE THE SASSA GRANT PAYMENT DATES FOR DECEMBER 2024 AND JANUARY 2025
The South African previously reported on the confirmed SASSA grant payment dates for December 2024 and January 2025. They payments for the festive period are as follows:
DECEMBER 2024
- Older persons grant: Wednesday, 3 December 2024
- Disability grant: Thursday, 4 December 2024
- Children’s grant: Friday, 5 December 2024
JANUARY 2025
- Older persons grant: Friday, 3 January 2025
- Disability grant: Monday, 6 January 2025
- Children’s grant: Tuesday, 7 January 2025