SASSA's new verification process proves difficult for beneficiaries

SASSA grant recipients battle with new verification process

SASSA grant recipients battle with new verification process

SASSA grant recipients battle with new verification process

Members of Parliament are raising concerns about SASSA’s new verification process.

The National Treasury is introducing new conditions that SASSA must follow to get access to funds.

The conditions include submitting quarterly progress reports before the end of July and October.

These reports must include the number of grants reviewed, suspended or cancelled; savings; and any implementation challenges.

The agency is also required to strengthen its income verification, biometric systems, and other database cross-verifications.

However, MPs have raised concerns about how these new conditions will impact poor households.

Several grant recipients have reported struggling to access their grants because of SASSA’s reviews.

According to October, many recipients have found the biometric verification so difficult to navigate that they cannot get their grants.

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 Updated: June 2025 

  

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TymeBank slams Home Affairs for steep hike in cost of ID verification

TymeBank co-founder Coenraad Jonker has slammed the Department of Home Affairs for steeply hiking the fee banks and financial services providers have to pay for verifying customers' identity.

The new prices amount to an increased cost of up to 6 500%.

In a statement, the Department noted it previously charged users 15 cents per real-time verification against the National Population Register (NPR), which has not changed since the launch of the service in 2013.

After initiating substantial upgrades to the service, it has gazetted a new price structure that sets a 'cost-reflective' price for real-time verifications during peak hours at R10, and an off-peak, low-cost alternative for batch transactions costing R1.

"The Minister of Home Affairs calls upon users to rise above narrow profiteering and put South Africa’s national security interests first."

Department of Home Affairs

However, Jonker says what the new fee structure actually does, is threaten the unit economics of their service to the poorest South Africans.

This means is that the price increase makes it unprofitable to serve a social grant recipient, he goes on.

"We absolutely agree with the Minister that the system has to be fixed and we've offered to help in whatever way we can to do this... but it cannot be done at the cost of the poorest South Africans and at the cost of financial inclusion and transformation in the country."

Coenraad Jonker, CEO - Tyme Group

TymeBank has worked for many years to make sure they run a business that is cost-efficient enough to profitably serve that customer, and the Minister's decision has far-reaching effects, Jonker says.

He spells out the consequences for TymeBank, or probably banks in general.

"There are two things that can happen - either we cross-subsidise this customer by using the money we make from other customers, but we know in the long run that doesn't work. Ultimately, shareholders are going to say you have to stop serving that customer... or we'll have to raise the prices and then the customer will no longer be able to afford the service."

Coenraad Jonker, CEO - Tyme Group

Jonker says the decision also takes South Africa 'way out of kilter' with what other emerging markets charge for the same service.

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 Updated: June 2025 

  

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EMS urges citizens to be cautious when keeping warm during colds

Emergency Management Services (EMS) has again urged residents to exercise caution when keeping warm by fires, heaters, and braziers.  

This as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning about freezing temperatures that are gripping parts of the country.

EMS Spokesperson Eric Maloka urged residents not to leave heating devices unattended in an attempt to prevent fires.

“We therefore would like to encourage our residents to plan when using all heating devices safely. Electrical heaters, braziers, paraffin stoves and candles – not to leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home during these extremely cold temperatures. All three regional fire stations around the city are on high alert to ensure that we effectively respond to all emergencies which might occur during this cold front.”

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 Updated: June 2025 

  

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Informal traders push back against proposed loose cigarette ban

Small traders warn that banning single cigarette sales under new tobacco laws could threaten their livelihoods.

Informal traders say their livelihoods are being threatened by proposed new tobacco laws.

Under the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, the sale of single cigarettes would be banned.

The Portfolio Committee on Health recently heard from a small traders organisation in Parliament, who said the move would cripple them.

They argue that many customers who buy single cigarettes also purchase other items too.

But Ucko says the argument is not an accurate one.

"It is preposterous to suggest that a shop, or any business will go insolvent because they are banned from selling single cigarettes, because they can still sell boxes."

- Peter Ucko, Executive Director of the Tobacco Alcohol and Gambling Advisory Advocacy and Action Group (TAG)

Ucko argues that selling loose cigarettes is ultimately bad for the fiscus.

It keeps more people addicted, he says, which in turn means those people eventually become a burden on the health system as a result of smoking-related health issues.

"If the smoker who wants a cigarette and only has enough money for a single cigarette can't get that single cigarette, time goes by and the craving goes away."

- Peter Ucko, Executive Director of the Tobacco Alcohol and Gambling Advisory Advocacy and Action Group (TAG)

"So [the ban] is, in fact, good for addiction and for breaking the habits."

- Peter Ucko, Executive Director of the Tobacco Alcohol and Gambling Advisory Advocacy and Action Group (TAG)

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 Updated: June 2025 

  

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Other leading local news

@wolmaransstadlink.news 

• After an intervention from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, the Wolmaransstad-basd Community Policing Forum has hit the ground following increasing crime levels

• Residents of Tswelelang  have sent an email to the Deputy Minister of Water Sanitation Sello Seitlholo and he has responded. The sending of the letter, came at the back of long weeks with dry taps

• The DR Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality made an impact on the lives of learners of Boskuil Combined School. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Special Projects, Mpho Matsapola handed over school uniforms and shoes to selected schools in Maquassi Hills and City of Matlosana

• The Fighting Unemployment Movement held another  meeting in Tswelelang  to engage the community on the unemployment crisis in Maquassi Hills sub-district

• Magalies Water has been predicted to go bankrupt by June this year, this is as municipalities are owing the waterboard. Maquassi Hills is among those municipalities that owes the water board millions of rands

• The Kgakala-based Tiragalo Secondary School has received additional chairs and tables from the Department of Education in North West. Tiragalo Secondary has been battling overcrowding for some time.  Tiragalo is the only senior school that caters hundreds of learners in Kgakala

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Cold temperatures forecasted for Maquassi Hills on Monday

Boskuil - It's clear conditions for Boskuil, Makwassie, Leeudoringstad, Wolmaransstad and other areas of Maquassi Hills on Monday 

Cold weather conditions are imminent with temperatures remaining cold in the afternoon with slight warmth 

Wind speed is forecasted at 5km for areas of Maquassi Hills on Monday. No rain has been forecasted 

Areas of North West are also seeing clear conditions with cold temperatures on Monday amid cold weather patterns 

Residents should do outdoor activities if necessary, however cool/cold conditions may persist throughout the day 

These are

Minimum/maximum

 temparatures:

Maquassi Hills:

3°C//16°C , clear/cloudy

/windy

        skies with

 warm/cool

                                                         conditions/ 0% 

of expected rainfall

Matlosana:

2//18°C , clear/cloudy /windy

 skies

  with 

    warm/cool

         conditions/ 1% of expected

                                rainfall

JB Marks:

3//19°C , clear/cloudy /windy

 skies

 with  warm/cool 

                          conditions/ 1% of expected rainfall

Mamusa:

3///17°C , clear/cloudy /windy

 skies

 with warm/cool  conditions/ 3%

 of expected rainfall

Tswaing: 

3//16°C , clear /cloudy /windy

skies

  with  warm/cool conditions

/3% of                                           expected rainfall

Lekwa-Taemane:

3//17°C ,   clear/cloudy /windy

 skies

with warm/cool conditions

/ 6% of expected rainfall

Naledi:

1//20/°C,    clear/cloudy /windy

 skies with                   warm/coo

l conditions/ 7% of expected       rainfall

Greater Taung:

1//20/°C ,   clear /cloudy /windy

skies with warm/cool  conditions/ 4% of  

    expected rainfall

Mahikeng LM:

5//17°C ,   clear /cloudy /windy

skies with warm/cool                  conditions/ 20% of expected 

     

rainfall

Ditsobotla:

3//16°C , clear /cloudy /windy

skies with warm/cool           conditions/ 24%     of expected                              rainfall

Rustenburg LM:

3//19°C , clear /cloudy /windy

skies with warm/cool

  conditions/ 24% of 

            expected                                         rainfall

Weather data provided by: The Weather Channel in collaboration with Wolmaransstad Link

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Updated: June  2025  

#WolmaransstadLinkWeather

The Update Today

@wolmaransstadlink.news @theupdatetoday

• District says it marked a step forward in a fight against HIV/AIDS

  The District Municipality said it has marked a significant step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS 

The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality Executive Mayor,  Nikiwe Num, alongside the Premier’s Office, and the Provincial AIDS Council, led the Induction of Local AIDS Forum

 The initiative, supported by SANAC, aimed to empower forums from Maquassi Hills, JB Marks Local and Matlosana Local Municipalities with the knowledge and tools needed to address HIV/AIDS-related challenges in their communities

 In her address, District Municipality Mayor, Nikiwe Num outlined the purpose of the induction and emphasized the joint responsibilities of local and district municipalities in tackling HIV/AIDS

Num further raised concerns about municipal leaders who are not actively involved in community-benefiting programs, stressing that such initiatives are included in her office’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure accountability and progress

• Community of Tswelelang  has sent a letter of concerns to Eskom

  Community of Ext 10 in Tswelelang, Ward 1 has sent Eskom a letter of concerns following continuous power cut-offs in their area 

The community says, they had a power cut for weeks 

In a letter addressed to the power utility, it stated that  power was cut for 2 week in Ward 1 situated in the Ext 10

The community says, this inconvenience has heavily affected them 

"This letter is of concerns of Ward 1, as electricity has been cut since last week currently on the second week. The residents are still waiting for power to be redistributed to the households" - Tswelelang residents in the Ext 10

This is not the first time this has transpired, according to the community, the transformer got burnt in the area and they hoped that Eskom will make means to put emergency alternatives to resolve the issue as it has occurred several times 

Various sections connected to the entire area of the Ext 10 which includes Ext 5, 13 and 15 have been impacted by continuous electrical break ups in the latest weeks and Eskom did not communicate as to what causes these break ups 

Due to the area being affected, learners were not able to study at night times as some parents were not able to buy candles every day.  The community says, this even affect their mental well-being 

"This problem affects even the mental health of the community as they are stressing from time-to-time regarding essentials such hot water, cooked meals and lights. We have students and workers who rely on devices  to their assignments" - Community of Ext 10

• The Department of Health in North West is conducting, Voluntary Male Circumcision -  VMMC in local facilities

Parents interested in circumcising their children have given medical consent allow the this surgery to go ahead. The health department in Maquassi Hills sub-district is part of the Voluntary Circumcision Campaign for the Autumn  season 

The health department in the sub-district took this medical programme to various areas of Maquassi Hills and spread the information about the importance of circumcising young males starting at the age of 13

The medical programme is taking place at the Bophelong Clinic in Rulaganyang near Witport. This programme takes place in specific times of the year

The North West Health Department has identified the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District for this programme to take  place

According to the provincial health department, the objective is to enhance capacity and ensuring that the majority of clients which are served during the peak of the Autumn, Winter and Summer seasons

The Dr Kenneth Kaunda family physician, Dr Lesley Mahole said, the district has assembled a team of physicians who ensured that the programme run smoothly and no client is left behind due to the increased activity in all sub-districts during these different seasons

• District donated uniforms and shoes to learners of Boskuil Combined School 

   The DR Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality has made a huge impact on the lives  learners of Boskuil Combined School 

 Member of the Mayoral Committee for Special Projects, Mpho Matsapola handed over school uniforms and shoes to selected schools in Maquassie Hills and City of Matlosana

 The donations are meant to eradicate visible inequalities among learners, affording them equal standing in their places of learning

According to Matsapola, the Office of the Mayor (DR KKDM) focused more on schools needing added support from government

 "The Executive Mayor has been longing to assist such communities. That is why today we embarked on this project. Our target is to reach mainly special schools and those  located in deep rural areas like farms so that we level the learning environment, thereby ensuring that teachers concerntrate on teaching rather than having to worry about economic inequalities between learners" - Member of the Mayoral Committee for Special Projects, Mpho Matsapola

Boskuil Combined School is situated in marginalised area of Boskuil with parents not having the capacity to buy their children some school needs

• Koketso Primary & Tiragalo Secondary Schools celebrated World Book Day 

  The Leeudoringstad Library has held a fun-filled World Book Day celebration with learners from Tiragalo Secondary School and Koketso Primary School 

 The event was filled with excitement and enthusiasm as young bookworms gathered to share their love of reading

The celebration featured a lively book fair where learners browsed through various books, discovering new authors and genres

 Interactive activities included book-themed games, quizzes, and storytelling sessions, testing knowledge and encouraging creative thinking and communication skills

The event aimed to promote literacy and a love of reading among learners, inspiring a lifelong passion for reading. The Leeudoringstad Library's community engagement initiatives demonstrate its commitment to promoting literacy in the community

 "I loved the book fair! I found a new book series that I'm excited to read." - Tiragalo Secondary School learner

"The storytelling session was my favorite part. I loved hearing about different adventures." - Koketso Primary School learner

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