The current system, which Sassa inherited from all nine provinces and which is also documented in contracts that have been signed between the current service providers and Sassa in the provinces, details exactly and precisely what should be done at any pay point and at every pay point. Services should be provided to all our beneficiaries and to our elderly people, in particular, with dignity. This is contained in the contract.
However, what is currently happening is something very different, and we are beginning to see this. I appreciate the hon member's concern on what he has been exposed to because this is a challenge we are currently dealing with.
We have begun a process of ensuring that we move towards electronic payment, without any exception and without any racial connotations. It is really high time that we do this because the majority of our people in the white sections of our communities are currently getting their payments and grants from some of the banks. We have begun working on this process. The majority of our beneficiaries, just over 400 000, have already moved to electronic payment. We encourage the young people to begin to move because, with the elderly, we understand that we have to conduct particular education in this regard even before we can get there.
However, when we move to institute this new tender, it will not be something that is negotiable. At least up to 80% of the grants should be paid through a system that allows our people to get their payments under quality situations and conditions, preferably through a banking system. We are not saying which bank you can use. But we are doing some work in this regard, and we really want to do away with this kind of problem once and for all. I thank you.