- Stricter Verification Rules: SASSA’s new process, mandated by the National Treasury, includes biometric checks and in-person reviews, raising concerns about accessibility.
- Impact on Beneficiaries: Rural and low-income recipients struggle with digital and travel requirements, risking grant suspensions.
- Funding at Stake: National Treasury threatens to withhold funds if SASSA fails to meet conditions like income verification and database checks.
Background: A Clash Over Grant Oversight
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is under fire as its new verification process, introduced in 2025, creates friction with the National Treasury. The agency, responsible for distributing social grants to millions, faces pressure to curb fraud and ensure funds reach eligible recipients. However, the Treasury’s stringent conditions, including biometric verifications and quarterly reports, have sparked debates about fairness and accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations.
According to recent reports, SASSA CEO Themba Matlou has pledged to align with Treasury requirements, such as submitting a July 2025 report detailing grants reviewed, suspended, or canceled. Yet, this push for compliance has drawn criticism from Members of Parliament (MPs) and activists who argue the process alienates the poor.
Why the New Verification Process?
The National Treasury allocated R265 billion to SASSA in 2025, but with strict provisos to ensure fiscal responsibility. These include:
- Bank Income Checks: SASSA must verify beneficiaries’ income through bank records.
- Database Cross-Checks: Biannual checks with SARS, NSFAS, and other agencies to confirm eligibility.
- Biometric Enhancements: Intensified facial recognition and identity verification to combat fraud.
These measures aim to protect public funds but have led to unintended consequences. MPs have voiced concerns that in-person reviews and biometric requirements disproportionately affect rural and elderly beneficiaries who lack smartphones or easy access to SASSA offices.
Challenges for Beneficiaries
The verification process has been labeled “deliberately exclusionary” by a January 2025 High Court ruling, highlighting the digital divide. Many beneficiaries, especially in remote areas, struggle to comply with online or biometric requirements. For example, elderly recipients often travel long distances to SASSA offices, only to face delays or incomplete processes. This has led to grant suspensions, leaving vulnerable households in financial distress.
Andile Tshona, SASSA’s Senior Manager for Media Relations, acknowledged these issues, stating, “We will work to improve any shortcomings because verifying and reviewing grants is central to SASSA’s function.” However, MPs remain skeptical, warning that Treasury’s threat to cut funding could exacerbate the crisis if SASSA cannot balance compliance with accessibility.
What’s Next for SASSA and Beneficiaries?
As the July 2025 deadline for SASSA’s first Treasury report approaches, the agency must address logistical challenges and public backlash. Civil society groups are calling for manual verification options and help desks at local offices to support those unable to navigate digital systems. Meanwhile, the Treasury’s oversight underscores the delicate balance between fraud prevention and inclusive service delivery.
The ongoing tension highlights a broader issue: how to modernize social grant systems without excluding the most vulnerable. For now, beneficiaries are urged to update their details and comply with verification requests to avoid payment disruptions.
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