SASSA bolsters security to combat grant fraud

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has reassured social grant beneficiaries that the rollout of new systems will help clamp down on fraud and abuse while ensuring grants reach only those who qualify.

SASSA CEO Themba Matlou briefed the media today on several initiatives the agency has undertaken to modernise social assistance and protect public funds.

 Matlou noted that despite significant operational pressures, steady progress is being made to safeguard the integrity of the system.

One of the primary measures introduced is compulsory biometric enrollment for all new grant applications. This initiative is specifically designed to:

Strengthen identity verification.

Reduce the number of fraudulent claims.

Streamline the application process.

The agency has also implemented life certification for identified beneficiaries, a process that ensures grants are paid strictly to eligible recipients who are still living and meet the criteria.

According to Matlou, the agency is already seeing results from these tighter controls.

"And we have flagged quite a number of people who are in our system that seems not to be qualifying any longer in getting the social relief and social grant," Matlou stated.

Matlou added that these interventions are expected to ease the administrative burden on local offices, improve overall service delivery, and provide a more secure environment for the country's most vulnerable citizens.