Sassa says it will be opening a criminal case against Grindrod Bank and the Cash Paymaster Services for failing to stop illegal deductions made on social grants.
Sassa beneficiaries lodged 10 262 disputes over deductions from their accounts between April 2015 and March 2016.
“The amended law prohibits deductions from social grants. The only exception is a deduction for a funeral policy‚ provided Sassa is requested to authorise‚” the agency said.
Dianne Dunkerley‚ manager at Sassa‚ said the disputes varied from mense who used the airtime advance service but wanted it to stop‚ to those claiming to have no knowledge about the service.
Other complaints included bank withdrawal charges and prepaid electricity.