NEW SASSA CEO OUTLINES VISION FOR FRAUD-FREE, DIGITALLY-DRIVEN SERVICE DELIVERY

By Precious Mupenzi

• ⁠In his first address as SASSA CEO, Mr Themba Matlou pledged to restore the agency’s integrity through a decisive focus on digital transformation, transparency, and ethical leadership.
• At a National Press Club briefing in Pretoria, Matlou detailed his priorities: rooting out fraud, improving grant delivery systems, and responding more effectively to the needs of South Africa’s most vulnerable.
• With over 19 million South Africans depending on social grants, Matlou emphasised that efficiency, trust, and fairness will anchor SASSA’s future direction.

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Mr Themba Matlou, addressed members of the media on Friday at the National Press Club in Pretoria. In his first official briefing since taking the helm, Matlou presented a bold and transparent vision to steer the agency towards operational stability, technological innovation, and zero tolerance for corruption.

“It is an honour that comes with enormous responsibility and expectations to lead an organisation of this magnitude,” said Matlou. “This is a task that I do not take lightly. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe and the entire Cabinet for placing their trust in me.”

Having served for over 13 years as a Regional Executive Manager within SASSA across various provinces, Matlou brings extensive institutional knowledge and experience. He acknowledged that his new role demands a broader strategic approach, one which he is prepared to meet through the implementation of SASSA’s newly developed Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2030 and the accompanying Annual Performance Plan for 2025 to 2028. These plans align directly with the country’s Medium-Term Development Plan (2024–2029) and the National Development Plan 2030, both of which prioritise poverty reduction and inclusive social protection.

Matlou outlined three key outcomes that will define SASSA’s work going forward: reducing levels of poverty, improving customer experience, and enhancing organisational efficiency. These priorities, he said, are shaped by South Africa’s ongoing socio-economic challenges, including slow economic growth, high unemployment, widespread poverty, and recurrent disasters that have deepened inequality.

Addressing fraud and corruption was one of the central themes of his briefing. Matlou acknowledged that some SASSA officials had tainted the agency’s image through corrupt activities. He stressed that SASSA, under the leadership of Minister Tolashe, will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to such misconduct. He announced that the agency would roll out lifestyle audits and enforce financial disclosures for all staff. “If there are officials with an insatiable thirst to steal from the public purse—we are coming for you,” he warned.

To strengthen fraud prevention and verification, SASSA has finalised engagements with trade unions on implementing a biometric enrolment verification system, which is already being piloted in some provinces. This system is expected to enhance identity protection and secure access to social grants. Matlou also outlined plans to modernise the SASSA call centre, transition from manual to automated business processes, introduce new self-application channels, and improve supply chain management. These reforms are intended to increase transparency, improve service delivery, and ensure clean audit outcomes.

Currently, SASSA distributes social grants to over 19 million South Africans every month. Approximately three million of these beneficiaries receive their payments through Postbank accounts. Matlou confirmed that the South African Reserve Bank had granted an extension to allow the remaining 980,000 beneficiaries more time to transition from expiring gold cards to new Postbank black cards. He urged beneficiaries not to delay in completing the swap.

Looking to the future, Matlou said SASSA will increase coverage for older persons, people with disabilities, and children who are unable to support themselves. The agency will continue to provide temporary relief to individuals and families in crisis, and invest in public awareness through enhanced community outreach and a revitalised communication strategy. He said that technological solutions would be at the heart of service improvements, especially in reducing fraud, enhancing application processes, and expanding access to remote and underserved areas.

Since assuming acting responsibilities, Matlou has prioritised stakeholder engagement and staff involvement, visiting six provinces to hear directly from employees and community members. “We’ve listened to our staff and communities. Going forward, we will engage all stakeholders to foster collaborative solutions that allow us to meet our service delivery commitments,” he said.

In conclusion, Matlou reaffirmed SASSA’s constitutional mandate and committed to restoring public trust in the agency. “We are determined to pay the right social grant, to the right person, at the right time and place—Njalo.”