The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) CEO Themba Motlou, says the agency is undertaking an important review process of social grants to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries continue to receive support.

This comes after growing public concern and confusion over grant payments. Motlou emphasised that SASSA’s mandate, derived from the South African Constitution and the SASSA Act, is to administer and manage social grants to those who qualify.

Motlou was briefing the media on Monday to address the recent public outcry, clarifying that no social grant payments have been suspended or halted, and all approved grants remain valid.

He explained that the reviews are a legal requirement under Section 14(5) of the Social Assistance Act, which obliges beneficiaries to notify SASSA of any significant changes in their financial or personal circumstances.

”In April 2025, the agency announced scheduled payment delays for targeted social grant beneficiaries who are required to visit local offices to confirm changes in their financial circumstances and update personal details.

”This step was taken following collaboration with registered Credit Bureaus, which flagged approximately 210,000 beneficiaries as receiving income that had not been truthfully disclosed,” said Sassa in a statement. 

The agency added that this initiative had attracted public commentary and misrepresentation from various groups, but it is aimed at curbing fraud and ensuring eligibility.

“Beneficiaries are notified when their grants are due for review, and we encourage full cooperation to avoid any disruptions,” Motlou said.

He added that targeted reviews have been introduced for those whose circumstances may have changed, ensuring that grants are paid only to those still eligible.

He also stressed that the review process is crucial for protecting the integrity of the social assistance program and public funds.

“This is a legal obligation designed to safeguard the integrity of the social assistance programme and to ensure that public funds are directed to those who need them most,” he said.

The process also helps SASSA update beneficiary information and prevent fraud, including cases where individuals receiving grants are employed or listed on payroll systems elsewhere.

The agency further explained, ”Beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application and must inform the agency of any changes to their financial circumstances after approval.

”The agency has undertaken a review of its database and grant administration to root out fraud and make sure assistance reaches those eligible. These reviews focus especially on individuals active in the labor market whose incomes approach or exceed the means test threshold, particularly where income was not disclosed or changes were not reported.”

Motlou acknowledged the challenges beneficiaries face in accessing SASSA offices but assured that the agency is monitoring the situation and adjusting capacity as needed.

He also highlighted that communication efforts have included over 140,000 SMS notifications to beneficiaries selected for review, although some have not responded, possibly due to outdated contact details.

“We are working on strengthening our communication approach, including through more robust community-level engagement,” he said

Addressing the responsibilities of beneficiaries, Motlou said that “the Social Assistance Act and its regulations, place an obligation on the beneficiaries as a legal requirement to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application as well as other personal details.”

Failure to comply may result in suspension or permanent lapsing of grants and could trigger debt recovery processes for any improperly paid funds, he said.

Motlou assured that SASSA is committed to transparency and accountability, with measures such as biometric identification infrastructure being finaliseed to enhance security.

He noted that the agency must also comply with strict National Treasury budget conditions, which require cost-saving mechanisms and improved operational efficiency in grant administration.

“These conditions direct SASSA to find mechanisms to save cost through its review process to ensure money is not paid to those undeserving beneficiaries,” Motlou said.

Motlou reaffirmed SASSA’s dedication to protecting beneficiaries’ rights and dignity while ensuring the sustainability of the social grant system.

“SASSA remains committed to protecting the right and dignity of each beneficiary by ensuring that no one who qualifies is unfairly penalised,” he said.

The review process, he emphasised, is for the greater good of the government fiscus and the social assistance programme.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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