The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) CEO, Themba Matlou, is expected to brief the media on Monday on the social grants review process currently being undertaken by the agency.
According to SASSA, the review is focused on targeted
beneficiaries suspected of having “additional sources of income that was not
disclosed to the Agency”.
“In April 2025, SASSA announced an ongoing scheduled
payment delays to targeted social grants beneficiaries who need to visit local
offices to confirm changes in their financial circumstances and update their
personal details to address potential inclusion errors in the current social
security system. This was done after the Agency had collaborated with
registered Credit Bureaus and approximately 210 000 social grant beneficiaries
were flagged to be receiving income that was not truthfully disclosed,” said
SASSA in a statement.
SASSA LOGOSASSA bemoaned the “public commentary and misrepresentation
from various interest groups and the public at large, casting aspersions on
SASSA’s efforts to ascertain eligibility” of some beneficiaries and initiatives
to “curb fraud in the grants system”.
“In accordance with the Social Assistance legislative
framework, beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of
income during their initial application. They are also obliged to inform SASSA
of any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has
been approved. SASSA has undertaken a review of its database and grant
administration processes to root out fraud and ensure that assistance reaches
those who are eligible.’’
“These reviews are specifically focused on individuals who
appear to be active in the labour market and whose incomes are close to or
exceed the means test threshold; particularly where such income was not
disclosed at the time of application or where changes in circumstances were not
reported thereafter,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape’s Standing committee on Social
Development chairperson, Wendy Kaizer-Philander expressed concern about the ongoing challenges facing social grant beneficiaries
‘’As it stands, beneficiaries are being instructed to present themselves in-person at their nearest SASSA local office for eligibility verification. Failure to comply results in grant suspensions and, in some cases, permanent lapsing of grants. This in-person requirement is causing distress, particularly to the elderly, people with disabilities, and beneficiaries living in remote areas without access to transport or nearby offices.’’
‘’A troubling example includes a double amputee who has
been receiving a disability grant since 2011. Despite having completed a review
in November 2024, he was told to return to his former employer - whom he left
in 2009 - to obtain a letter confirming his unemployment status. Such demands
are both unreasonable and inhumane, and they do not reflect an understanding of
the lived realities of grant recipients. While we recognise the need for
accountability, the manner in which this review is being conducted lacks
transparency, planning, and sensitivity,’’ added Kaizer-Philander.
She raised concerns at how the implementation of this process
is negatively affecting some of the most vulnerable members of societ and has request
a number of corrective action from SASSA and the Department of Social
Development:
1. Temporary suspension of in-person verification for the
elderly, persons with disabilities, and rural beneficiaries until a more
accessible process is implemented.
2. Development of mobile verification teams to visit rural
areas and homes of those unable to travel.
3. Clear communication strategy in all official languages
to inform beneficiaries of verification timelines and requirements.
4. Urgent review of verification requirements, such as
outdated employer letters, to ensure that requirements are realistic.
5. Community-based partnerships, involving local clinics,
churches, and NGOs, to assist with the verification process where SASSA offices
are not accessible.
Done By: Mitchum George
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