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SASSA CEO LEADS FLOOD RELIEF OVERSIGHT IN LIMPOPO

January 20, 2026

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By Staff writer

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) CEO Mr Themba Matlou led a senior management intervention in Limpopo to assess the impact of the floods and strengthen coordinated relief measures, including the provision of hot meals to 75 affected households and the facilitation of access to Social Relief of Distress and other social assistance services.
The Agency is prioritising Mbaula Village in Giyani, one of the areas hardest hit by the floods, where extensive damage to homes, schools and livelihoods has left families in urgent need of humanitarian and social support.
SASSA is working closely with the Department of Social Development, provincial and municipal authorities, and disaster management structures to ensure a coordinated, efficient and responsive disaster relief and recovery effort.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has intensified its disaster relief response in Limpopo Province following severe flooding that has displaced numerous families and disrupted livelihoods across affected communities.

SASSA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Themba Matlou, arrived in the province on Monday (19 January 2026) as part of the Agency’s coordinated intervention to ensure that affected households receive timely Social Relief of Distress (SRD) and other emergency social assistance measures.

Upon arrival, Mr Matlou convened a strategic engagement with the SASSA Executive, led by Limpopo Regional Management, to receive a comprehensive briefing on the extent of the damage and the region’s operational readiness. The engagement focused on strengthening response measures aimed at supporting vulnerable households, including the provision of food assistance, temporary shelter support, and facilitation of access to social grant services.

The visit precedes an official oversight visit scheduled for Wednesday, 21 January 2026, to Mbaula Village in Giyani, one of the communities most severely affected by the floods. The area has experienced extensive damage to homes, schools and livelihoods, leaving many families in urgent need of support.

As part of its immediate relief interventions, SASSA is currently providing daily hot meals to 75 affected households at the Mbaula Assemblies of God Church, offering critical assistance to families displaced by the disaster.

Mr Matlou reaffirmed SASSA’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate of providing social assistance to citizens in need, particularly during periods of crisis.

SASSA’s priority is to safeguard the well-being of affected families and to ensure that social assistance reaches those who need it most. Our presence in Limpopo is aimed at ensuring that relief interventions are implemented efficiently and that communities receive the necessary support during this difficult time,” said Matlou.

He further indicated that the Agency is working closely with the Department of Social Development, provincial authorities, municipalities and disaster management structures to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

The upcoming oversight visit will include inspections of severely affected areas, engagements with disaster management officials and direct interaction with affected households. These engagements are intended to strengthen ongoing relief and recovery efforts while ensuring that interventions remain responsive to the needs of communities on the ground.

SASSA continues to play a critical role in government’s disaster response efforts, reaffirming its commitment to protecting vulnerable households and restoring dignity to families affected by natural disasters.