Speaking notes for the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu on DSD update on Covid-19 and lockdown interventions

Colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

Good afternoon.

From the outset, let me thank the majority of South Africans who heeded the clarion call by President Ramaphosa to stay home for the sake of all of us. This period requires a collective national effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are in this together!

We note the anxiety and fears that this pandemic has caused millions of South African families, especially the most vulnerable in our society.

Since the declaration of the state of national disaster and the 21-day lockdown, we have been inundated with calls from South Africans who are worried about their livelihoods.

Today, Gogo Tsakani Maluleke in Giyani is worried about whether she will get her Old Age Grant at her local pay point. This grant is the only source of income for her and her family.

I would like to take this opportunity to allay Gogo Maluleke’s fears and anxiety and the millions of other social grants beneficiaries across the country that we are working around the clock to allay their concerns at this difficult time.

Payment of social grants
As we stated earlier this week, there is no need to panic and rush to pay points as social grants will be paid from 30 and 31 of this month, starting with older persons and persons with disabilities with the view to alleviate overcrowding.

All other social grants will be paid on the 1st of April as per schedule. Both SASSA and the South African Post Office have finalised all logistical arrangements pertaining to social grants payment.

We have activated government fleet across all provinces to ensure that older persons and persons with disabilities get to the pay points to get their grants.

We will publish the list and contact details all SASSA Regional Managers that members of the public can contact if they experience any challenges. The SASSA and SAPO Call Centres will remain operational to respond to public enquiries.

We are deploying SASSA officials at all pay points to monitor and report on all service delivery challenges

Shelters for persons living and working on the streets

We have directed all provinces to activate shelters to provide accommodation and meals to people working and living on the streets, including children.

Provinces are working with municipalities in this regard.

I have recommended that all MECs replicate the best practice model by the Department of Social Development in Gauteng Province.

Services to person with disabilities
All residential facilities, including respite care at centre and community based have been declared essential services. All personnel have been given protective wear and permits to continue providing services, including family support to those with severe disabilities.

Services to older persons
We have directed all provinces to put in place mechanisms to consistently monitor vulnerable older persons who might be staying on their own

Faith-based organisations
We reiterate our Government gratitude to the manner in which our faith-based organisations have positively responded and continue to cooperate with government in slowing down the spread of this pandemic.

Recruitment of additional social service personnel
Provinces are recruiting additional 1 809 social service personnel to provide psychosocial support services to affected families. We are focusing on unemployment social workers who benefited from the Department’s Scholarship Programme.

The NDA has appointed volunteers in all 9 provinces who will serve as our ears and eyes and report all service delivery challenges, which will be escalated to the War Room headed by Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.

We have recruited social service professionals through the South African Council for Social Service Professional across 9

Service delivery continuity
From the Social Development point of view, we are ready to contribute in any ways we can to contain and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our people.

Once again, we appeal to our people to comply with the regulations and to avoid exposing themselves and others to possible infections to COVID-19.