SASSA breaks silence on delayed grants, releases date to address negative criticisms, others
SASSA to address public concern over social grant reviews and payment delays on July 14
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will brief the media on Monday, 14 July 2025, to address growing public concern and criticism over its ongoing review of social grants for selected beneficiaries. The briefing will be led by SASSA CEO, Mr Themba Matlou, and is scheduled to take place at 10:00 at the GCIS Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre in Pretoria.
This follows SASSA’s April announcement regarding scheduled payment delays for approximately 210,000 grant recipients. These individuals were flagged through collaboration with registered credit bureaus as potentially having undisclosed sources of income, thereby potentially violating the agency’s eligibility requirements.
The grant reviews have stirred significant public reaction, with some interest groups accusing the agency of unfair targeting. In a bid to clarify its position, SASSA has reiterated that the initiative is guided by the Social Assistance Act, which requires beneficiaries to fully disclose all sources of income at the time of application and to report any subsequent changes in financial circumstances.
According to the agency, the reviews aim to eliminate inclusion errors, prevent fraud, and ensure that social assistance reaches only those who genuinely qualify. Particular focus has been placed on individuals who appear to be active in the labour market or whose incomes exceed the means test threshold.
SASSA emphasized that this effort is not a blanket reassessment but a targeted review of beneficiaries whose financial activities raise concerns about their continued eligibility.
With the upcoming media briefing, SASSA hopes to provide transparency, respond to misinformation, and reassure the public about its commitment to a fair, lawful, and efficient grants system.
For further inquiries, members of the public and press can contact SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi or media liaison Andile Tshona.
Read the full statement from SASSA below:
SASSA briefs media about social grants reviews on targeted beneficiaries, 14 Jul
On Monday, 14 July 2025, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Themba Matlou, will brief members of the media about the social grant reviews that are being undertaken on targeted beneficiaries suspected of having additional sources of income that was not disclosed to the Agency.
In April 2025, SASSA announced an ongoing scheduled payment delays to targeted social grants beneficiaries who need to visit local offices to confirm changes in their financial circumstances and update their personal details to address potential inclusion errors in the current social security system. This was done after the Agency had collaborated with registered Credit Bureaus and approximately 210 000 social grant beneficiaries were flagged to be receiving income that was not truthfully disclosed.
This initiative has garnered public commentary and misrepresentation from various interest groups and the public at large, casting aspersions on SASSA’s efforts to ascertain 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.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Time: 10:00
Venue: GCIS Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard Street (Corner Festival Street), Hatfield, PretoriaEnquiries:
Andile Tshona
073 566 3345
E-mail: [email protected]
Paseka Letsatsi
SASSA Spokesperson
082 883 9969
E-mail: [email protected]#GovZAUpdates
Analysis: A Necessary Crackdown or a Risk to the Vulnerable?
SASSA’s decision to review grants and suspend payments for over 200,000 flagged beneficiaries marks one of its most assertive anti-fraud efforts in recent years. While the agency insists the process is targeted and backed by data from credit bureaus, critics argue it may unintentionally penalize vulnerable recipients who lack access to proper channels to update their information or contest allegations.
This highlights a longstanding challenge in South Africa’s social assistance system—balancing fraud prevention with the need to protect legitimate beneficiaries. While SASSA is right to uphold integrity and compliance with the Social Assistance Act, the current wave of reviews underscores the need for better public awareness, digital access, and faster dispute resolution mechanisms.
If not carefully managed, the campaign could lead to loss of trust among the public, especially in communities where grants are a critical lifeline. Monday’s briefing will therefore be pivotal—not only for clarifying the review process, but also for demonstrating SASSA’s commitment to both accountability and compassion.
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