Help has been pouring in for the Mitchells Plain ouma and her disabled daughter whose Sassa grants were stopped five months ago.
The Daily Voice has been inundated with calls and emails from readers offering assistance to ouma Annie Stemmet from Eastridge.
The 86-year-old looks after her daughter, Avril Stemmet, 60, who is physically and mentally disabled and has stage 4 ovarian cancer.
Meanwhile, Ouma Annie also suffers from high blood pressure and epileptic seizures, and struggles to move around.
The ouma says five months ago, Sassa suddenly stopped paying her pension and Avril’s disability grant, and the two have been left without any income.
She said Avril needed nappies and food as she had to take a lot of medicine.
After reading the story, community activist Joanie Fredericks says she immediately visited the two women to see how she could assist.
CRUSADE: Joanie Fredericks to help Annie Stemmet, 86, in her struggles with Sassa
“This has become my personal crusade as this story hit close to home,” says Joanie.
“My mother’s not here anymore and I also lost my only sister to cancer. I want to make sure Ouma Annie gets help immediately.”
On Friday, Sassa regional spokesperson, Shivani Wahab, said Avril and Annie’s grants were stopped and placed under investigation.
“This was due to the fact that the social grants were being deposited into a family member’s banking account and not the beneficiaries’ own accounts,” she explained.
It turns out the two women’s affairs are being handled by Annie’s son, who has power of attorney, and Wahab says the problem crept in when paperwork, submitted on 19 August, was incorrectly filled in.
“The files of the beneficiaries were then sent back as the application forms were incomplete.
“Sassa can confirm that the
matter has been expedited and prepared for finalisation.
“Social grant payments for Ms. Anne and Ms. Avril Stemmet can now be expected during the
November 2019 payment cycle.”
She added both beneficiaries “will receive their backpay as from July 2019”.
Ouma Annie’s granddaughter, Marianne Mini, 28, says she’s overwhelmed by the support.
“I want to thank everyone asking for banking details, electricity meter numbers, and those visiting. It’s really amazing,” Marianne says.
Ouma Annie was crying tears of joy and told the Daily Voice: “Thank you very much. I believe these things happen for a reason and the Lord’s testing me to see if my heart is right.”
Meanwhile, Joanie has started a campaign where the public can donate in cash or kind to Ouma.