MINISTER TOLASHE OUTLINES MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN SASSA SYSTEMS AND SAFEGUARD PUBLIC RESOURCES

By Staff Writer.

• Minister of Social Development Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe briefed the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on the measures being implemented to strengthen SASSA’s digital systems and address vulnerabilities identified in the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) platform.
• ⁠The Minister confirmed that SASSA has already begun rolling out biometric verification, upgrading cybersecurity protocols, and intensifying collaboration with key institutions to prevent fraud and safeguard public funds.
• The Department reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the SRD grant only benefits eligible individuals, while laying the groundwork for the introduction of Basic Income Support.

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, has reaffirmed government’s determination to strengthen the security and integrity of South Africa’s social assistance systems. Speaking during a virtual Portfolio Committee briefing on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, Minister Tolashe detailed progress made by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in implementing measures to address system vulnerabilities identified in the administration of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
Minister Tolashe also extended her congratulations to former Committee Member Honourable Alexandra Abrahams on her recent appointment as the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
The Minister reminded Members that the vulnerabilities were first brought to public attention by two university students who exposed weaknesses in the SRD online application system. Following the incident, an independent investigation was commissioned through Masegare and Associates Incorporated to conduct a comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Test of SASSA’s digital platform.
The findings confirmed that the system was exposed to cyber threats in four key areas, including weak encryption, unauthorised interfaces, fraudulent websites imitating SASSA’s platform, and payment disruption risks. The resulting recommendations focused on improving authentication, bolstering cybersecurity defences, and tightening beneficiary verification processes.
“Honourable Members, I can assure you that SASSA has been hard at work implementing the recommendations to safeguard public resources entrusted to us,” Minister Tolashe said. She highlighted several key interventions currently underway, including the roll-out of biometric verification for online transactions, upgrading of security protocols, and enhanced collaboration with institutions such as SARS, the Unemployment Insurance Fund, and banking partners.
The Minister also stressed that vulnerability assessments are an ongoing process, not a once-off exercise. SASSA now conducts quarterly vulnerability assessments and has strengthened its internal audit function to evaluate controls, risk management and governance effectiveness.
She further welcomed the announcement by the Minister of Finance extending the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant until March 2027, describing it as a “critical shift in government’s ongoing commitment to support vulnerable individuals.”
“With faster monthly biometric verification and enhanced digital tools, we will continue to ensure that the SRD only benefits those who need it most,” said Minister Tolashe. “The extension also allows us time to finalise policy proposals on the introduction of Basic Income Support, as directed by Cabinet.”
The Minister confirmed that the Department recently held a two-day colloquium focusing on linking social protection to labour market and employment programmes, as part of ongoing policy development. These proposals are expected to be tabled before Cabinet before the end of the fiscal year.
In closing, Minister Tolashe reaffirmed that the Department and SASSA are focused on improving accountability, governance and service integrity. “These measures are not punitive, but preventive, to ensure that we live up to our mantra: paying the right social grant, to the right person, at the right time and place – NJALO!”
The Minister concluded by handing over to Acting SASSA CEO Ms Zodwa Mvulane to lead a detailed presentation on the implementation of these reforms.