The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has intensified its warning against the illegal sale of queue positions at its offices, vowing a crackdown on what it describes as a “criminal network” preying on vulnerable grant beneficiaries.

The agency says it is alarmed by increasing reports from across the country of individuals profiting from desperate beneficiaries by selling places in queues, a practice it has labelled unlawful and unacceptable.

CEO Themba Matlou warned that SASSA is now treating the matter with urgency and will pursue both criminal and internal disciplinary action against those involved.

“This mushrooming scourge is unacceptable, unlawful, and a serious exploitation of vulnerable members of society who rely on social assistance for survival. We will not take this lying down.”

He added that SASSA is investigating whether syndicates may be operating around its offices, coordinating the sale of queue spots and intimidating beneficiaries.

“We take serious exception to these acts as they happen at the doorsteps of our offices and create an impression that we are complicit. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms, and we cannot allow it to continue.”

The agency says it will tighten security and work closely with law enforcement to clamp down on offenders and restore order at its facilities.

At the same time, SASSA acknowledged ongoing service delivery challenges at some offices, which it says may be contributing to the problem. However, Matlou insisted that improving efficiency remains a top priority.

“We are not oblivious to our own challenges. That is why we are not resting on our laurels and are accelerating the implementation of intervention measures.”

In addition to law enforcement measures, SASSA is accelerating the rollout of digital services, including its online self-service portal and eLife Certification system, to reduce the need for in-person visits.

Two foreign nationals have been arrested for possession and transportation of illegal substances after khat valued at R43,000 was seized yesterday.

The arrests followed a tip-off received by Western Cape Provincial Traffic Officers about two vehicles allegedly transferring boxes at the N1 Engen garage in the Paarl-bound direction.

Chief Director of Traffic Management, Maxine Bezuidenhout, said officers acted on the information and later located the vehicle at the N1 Brackenfell Boulevard off-ramp, heading towards Cape Town.

According to Bezuidenhout, the vehicle was subsequently stopped before the R300 flyover, leading to the arrest of the driver and passenger.

“This arrest shows how important the public’s role is in keeping our communities safe. When residents speak up and report suspicious activity, it allows our officers to respond quickly and take action. We encourage the public to continue working with us so we can prevent crime and keep our roads and communities safe.”

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has since taken over all investigations. The suspects are due to appear in court once charged.

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The City of Cape Town is preparing to introduce electric buses (e-buses) into its MyCiTi transport system, with a strong focus on long-term savings and reduced operating costs.

The first electric bus is expected to arrive in August, followed by 13 more between October and December 2026. In total, the City will receive 30 e-buses between 2026 and mid-2027.

The Department of Urban Mobility says a key motivation behind the rollout is reducing operating expenses.

Mayoral Committee for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, says e-buses are expected to significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs compared to diesel buses.

“The delivery of the electric bus fleet cannot be more timeous, given the volatility of the energy markets and uncertain geopolitical environment. Some countries operating e-buses have noted a reduction of up to 70% in operating costs, and we will be conducting research soon to determine what type of savings Cape Town can look forward to.”

Before full rollout, the buses will be tested on MyCiTi routes in areas such as Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Wynberg, Claremont, and the Cape Town CBD.

This testing phase will run for about 12 months to evaluate performance under local conditions, including battery life, charging time, and energy use across different routes and passenger loads.

“The research will help us understand how the electric buses will perform in our local context and what challenges we need to consider before we roll out the e-bus fleet in 2027. This information will assist us with planning and preparations, such as the training of the bus drivers, maintenance requirements, passenger loads, fault reporting, and so forth.”

If testing is successful, the first e-buses are expected to enter full passenger service by July 2027.