South Africa’s social grant system remains one of the most powerful instruments in the fight against poverty, hunger and inequality.

For millions of households, social assistance is not simply a benefit; it is a lifeline that sustains dignity, stability and hope.

This vital safety net must be administered with compassion, responsibility and integrity.

 CEO of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Themba Matlou, recently provided an update on the ongoing social grants reviews.

These reviews are not punitive action against SASSA beneficiaries. Instead, they are a necessary and legally mandated mechanism to ensure that social grants continue to reach only those who qualify.

 At the start of the 2025/26 financial year, SASSA introduced enhanced compliance measures to strengthen the effectiveness of the social assistance system.

Implemented in line with the Social Assistance Act of 2004 and National Treasury requirements, the measures entail income verification, biometric enrolment, inter-agency data cross-referencing and improved reporting obligations.

Their purpose is to prevent wasteful expenditure, limit fraud and protect limited public resources.

 The scale of South Africa’s social assistance programme highlights why grant reviews are essential. Each month SASSA pays about R20 billion to more than 19 million beneficiaries.

With such substantial public funds involved, there is a clear moral and fiscal obligation to ensure that every rand reaches the right person.

 The value of the review process is already evident.

During his media briefing, Matlou revealed that reviews have resulted in savings of approximately R44 million per month, translating to over R500 million annually.

These savings help strengthen the sustainability of the system and ensure that support continues to reach those who truly depend on it.

 The reviews are firmly grounded in legislation. Regulation 30 and Section 14(5) of the Social Assistance Act require SASSA to regularly confirm continued eligibility, while beneficiaries are legally obliged to report any material changes in their circumstances, including income or marital status. These provisions exist to protect  beneficiaries and the long-term integrity of the system.

 To make compliance easier, SASSA continues to modernise its operations. Important innovations have been introduced, including compulsory biometric enrolment for new applications, targeted life certification and the rollout of a self-service portal that enables beneficiaries to complete e-Life Certification remotely.

These developments reduce physical visits to offices and improve efficiency.

 For the 2025/26 financial year, SASSA planned to conduct 420,000 reviews.

By the third quarter, nearly 400,000 beneficiaries had already been notified to present themselves, with about 240,000 grants reviewed to date. Around 70,000 grants were suspended due to non-compliance with review requirements, a necessary step when beneficiaries fail to respond to repeated notifications.

The process is further strengthened through collaboration with key institutions. 

Credit bureaus help SASSA to identify discrepancies where individuals declare no income to the Agency but present themselves as employed when applying for loans or credit. Data matching with the South African Revenue Service has also assisted in identifying beneficiaries requiring further eligibility assessment. Income verification checks have identified 495,296 clients who appear to be ineligible for grants, and verification of these clients is now underway.

Cooperation with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and other government departments also helps detect alternative income sources or irregular grant access patterns.

 It is important to emphasise that the grants reviews do not result in automatic cancellation of grants. They simply trigger a fair and transparent verification process.

Beneficiaries are notified and afforded an opportunity to present themselves for a review and to clarify their circumstances. Grants are only suspended when individuals fail to comply with legal requirements.

 Beneficiaries also carry an important responsibility.

The law requires them to fully disclose all sources of income and to inform SASSA promptly of any changes in their personal or financial circumstances. Keeping contact details updated is essential to ensure that review notifications are received.

To support this, SASSA has introduced a 4th payment date each month as a signal for beneficiaries who miss payments to make urgent contact with the Agency.

 At its core, the grant review process is about fairness, accountability and sustainability. Reviews and life certification help prevent payments to deceased or ineligible individuals, detect fraud and ensure that social grants continue to serve those who genuinely need them. Safeguarding the integrity of the system ultimately shields every legitimate beneficiary who depends on it.

 South Africa’s social grants are a national asset that must be safeguarded. By working together, we can ensure that this essential safety net remains strong, fair and resilient.

***The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of IOL or Independent Media.

 **Lungelo Mkamba is the Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing at SASSA in Gauteng.

IOL Opinion

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