JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Friday welcomed a top court decision ordering the government to pay social grants on April 1 via its current provider, a bid to end a fiasco threatening the flow of benefits to 17 million people.

“The ANC holds the view that the regrettable events over the past few weeks were unnecessary and should have never happened ... Government must thoroughly investigate actions of those involved and act decisively against those responsible for this embarrassing and undesirable situation,” it said.

The ANC’s tone was a striking contrast to President Jacob Zuma who told parliament on Thursday there was no crisis while defending Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, who has been widely blamed for the debacle.