SASSA has flagged over 210,000 social grant beneficiaries, who were receiving the grant fraudulently.
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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has identified more than 200,000 social grant beneficiaries who failed to disclose their income truthfully, the agency announced.
The agency, in collaboration with registered credit bureaus, has identified approximately 210,000 beneficiaries who appear to be receiving income they have not reported.
As a result, their June 2025 payment cycle will be delayed.
According to SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi, beneficiaries are legally required to disclose all sources of income during their initial application, in accordance with the Social Assistance Act and its regulations.
“They are also obligated to inform SASSA of any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has been approved,” Letsatsi said.
“Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a violation of the Act and may result in corrective action.”
Letsatsi confirmed that social grant payments for the affected individuals will be delayed in the June 2025 payment cycle.
He warned that failing to report within 30 days would lead to a grant suspension.
“These individuals are required to present themselves at their nearest SASSA local offices for a grant review within 30 days from this notice date, in line with Regulation 30 of the Social Assistance Act,” he said.
Meanwhile, the agency has not disclosed which provinces have the highest number of fraudulent cases and which grants they were receiving.
Letsatsi said beneficiaries who do not comply with the review process risk having their grants suspended.
“Continued non-compliance may lead to the permanent lapsing of their grants.”
The initiative is aimed at ensuring that beneficiaries update their financial and personal details and address potential inclusion errors in the social security system.
“A beneficiary may have qualified for a grant at the time of application, but improved material conditions over time may render them ineligible,” Letsatsi said.
He encouraged all beneficiaries to disclose any alternative sources of income and report any bank accounts not previously declared.
“Furthermore, beneficiaries still using the green bar-coded ID book are urged to replace it with the smart ID card, due to the increased risk of fraud associated with the older ID format,” he said.
Letsatsi added that should evidence emerge of any officials colluding with beneficiaries to defraud the system, immediate disciplinary and legal action will be taken.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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