By: Kaya News Reporter
SASSA has dismissed reports that they have implemented a ‘no vaccine, no R350 grant’ policy which has been circulating as fake news. The South African Social Security Agency slammed the inaccurate propaganda which has caused alarm across the country.
Taking to social media the agency wrote, “The below information is false and does not come from SASSA. Covid-19 vaccination is not part of the special relief grant application criteria.”
The below information is false and does NOT come from SASSA. COVID-19 vaccination is not part of the special COVID-19 SRD grant application criteria.#SASSACARES #Covid19SRDGrant @The_DSD @nda_rsa @PostofficeSa @GCISMedia @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/Q5Xk1ehSX3
— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) August 30, 2021
The country has been gripped by a number of fake news around mandatory vaccinations which has resulted in backlash as more people are taking an ‘anti-vax’ stand.
With the vaccine rollout campaigns continuing despite concerns over the side effects, the county has reportedly only been able to fully vaccinate 23% of the population. This is a long way from the target of 70% which is required to reach the herd immunity President Ramaphosa spoke off during his national Covid-19 updates.
Despite the President’s calls for the public to stop the spread of fake news, a number of publications ran with the ‘no vaccine, no grant’ story creating confusion and alarm amongst the South Africans who rely on these monthly grants.
The country is urged to verify news before sharing on social media.
Also read: Health department: “No vaccine, no alcohol. No vaccine, no dating!”