SITA Strike Threatens November Payments for SASSA Beneficiaries

SITA Strike – As the strike at the State Information and Technology Agency (SITA) continues to escalate, the ripple effects are now extending to government departments, potentially impacting the much-needed November payments for beneficiaries of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

SITA Strike Threatens November Payments for SASSA Beneficiaries

SITA employees, represented by the Public Servants Association (PSA), have embarked on an indefinite strike, demanding a 7.5% increase in their salaries. The agency, however, has offered only a 5% increase backdated to April 2023, setting the stage for a labor dispute that could disrupt critical government services.

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The PSA has voiced concerns about the strike’s potential to disrupt service delivery to key departments, including SASSA, the Department of Home Affairs, and Border Management. The PSA chief negotiator, Zamani Dladla, emphasized the significance of SITA’s role in maintaining essential systems, stating that only SITA employees have the expertise to restore these systems in the event of any downtime.

This strike comes on the heels of a recent technical glitch that left thousands of old-age SASSA beneficiaries unable to access their funds. The glitch occurred as Postbank was migrating to a new system, underscoring the vulnerability of essential services to IT disruptions.

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In response to the escalating situation, the PSA has called on Minister Mondli Gungubele to intervene and instruct the SITA board of directors to improve their salary offer to meet the employees’ demands. However, the minister has stated that the labor dispute falls outside his jurisdiction, emphasizing that it is a matter between the PSA and SITA as the employer. He urged all parties involved to seek an amicable solution before service delivery is negatively affected.

The ongoing strike poses a significant challenge to government departments and the beneficiaries of services like SASSA who rely on timely and uninterrupted assistance. The outcome of the labor dispute will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences, and South Africans are anxiously awaiting a resolution that ensures the continued operation of vital government systems and services.