SASSA to brief media about social grants reviews on targeted beneficiaries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

• The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is preparing to respond to public commentary and misinformation on the agency’s current grant review process.
• SASSA announced in April 2025 ongoing scheduled payment delays on specific beneficiaries who needed to come forward to confirm changes to their financial circumstances.
• SASSA CEO Themba Matlou will address a press briefing on Monday, 14 July 2025 on the reviews into beneficiaries suspected of having additional sources of income not disclosed to the agency

South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) Chief Executive Officer, Themba Matlou, will brief members of the media on Monday, 14 July 2025, about the social grant reviews that are being undertaken on targeted beneficiaries suspected of having additional sources of income not disclosed to the agency.

In April 2025, SASSA announced ongoing scheduled payment delays on targeted social grants beneficiaries who needed to visit their local offices to confirm changes in their financial circumstances. They were also asked to update their personal details to address potential inclusion errors in the current social security system.

Some 210 000 grant beneficiaries were flagged as receiving income that was not truthfully disclosed after SASSA collaborated with registered credit bureaus.

This initiative has garnered public commentary and misrepresentation from various interest groups and the public, casting aspersions on SASSA’s efforts to ascertain the eligibility of certain 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.