PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE GRANTS DSD AND SASSA A RIGHT OF REPLY

• Two Stellenbosch University students presented to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in SASSA’s application system.
• In response, Minister Sisisi Tolashe requested and was granted the opportunity for the Department and SASSA to formally respond to the allegations.
• The Minister has committed to investigating the claims and will report back to the committee within 30 days, stressing the importance of system integrity and personal data protection for millions of beneficiaries.

Following a presentation by two Stellenbosch University students to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe requested the committee to grant the Department of Social Development and SASSA the right to respond.

The students raised concerns, alleging that SASSA’s application system is vulnerable.

The Chairperson of the committee approved the Minister’s request, which she confirmed was the correct course of action.

Minister Tolashe has committed to launching an investigation into the allegations and will report back to the committee within 30 days.

“As a department, we take this matter very seriously, particularly in relation to our Social Relief of Distress Grant system. The integrity of our systems and the protection of personal information are critical, as they directly affect the lives of millions of South Africans who rely on our services. We acknowledge the concerns raised and are committed to addressing them with urgency and diligence,” she said.

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT