By AGISANANG SCUFF
23 June 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Social Development said it wants to address an issue that affects nearly half of the population, the conditions imposed by National Treasury (NT) on SASSA’s 2025/26 budget. The committee said it also wants to touch on the real-world impact these measures are having on the poor, the disabled, the elderly, and the vulnerable.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Bridget Masango said the NT has attached strict new conditions to the allocation of funds to SASSA. Masango said these include quarterly reporting on suspended, cancelled or reviewed grants, income verification, including database cross-checks with South African Revenue Service (SARS), NSFAS, UIF and Home Affairs as well as biometric authentication for beneficiaries flagged as suspicious.
She further said Treasury argues these steps are essential to combat fraud and ensure value for money and failure to comply by SASSA may result in grant funding being withheld, a deeply concerning possibility for millions who rely on this support. However, Masango added that, as the committee, they are deeply concerned about these conditions, not because they oppose fraud prevention, but because the current implementation is causing delays, confusion, and deep distress among beneficiaries.
“Delays in grant payments are leaving many in limbo, unable to buy food or pay for transport. The requirement for in-person verification is disproportionately disadvantageous to rural communities and elderly caregivers who simply cannot afford to travel.
“Transport costs can reach up to R150 or more per trip, an unaffordable amount for some beneficiaries.
We are being flooded with WhatsApp messages, SMSs, calls and emails from desperate individuals and organisations that represent communities, who are unable to verify themselves. People are being excluded from the system and all of this, as far as we can see, is in the name of saving money,” she said.
Masango said SASSA has defended the verification process as necessary. She said they argue it prevents fraud and ensures accurate targeting.
“They have reminded beneficiaries of their duty to report changes in financial circumstances. That may be valid, but it cannot happen without balancing accessibility with fairness. To ensure accountability, SASSA will now submit quarterly reports directly to the committee, in addition to NT.
“This will allow Parliament to play a proactive oversight role, especially after lessons learned during the card replacement crisis that took place recently. The committee acknowledges the R1.6 billion increase in the 2025/26 grant allocation, intended to fund above-inflation increases,” said Masango.
She said they also note SASSA’s intensifying efforts to fight fraud, such as the rollout of biometric systems, a new tender to assist with identity verification and digital upgrades, including office Wi-Fi, self-service kiosks, and action against fake SASSA websites. Masango said as the committee, they are calling for accessible alternatives for rural and remote communities such as mobile units, remote verification, and community outreach must be prioritised.
The Guardian 