Social Grants in Danger: South Africa’s Parliament Portfolio Committee on Social Services has called for a full-scale investigation into the SASSA grant payment system to tackle fraud and inefficiencies. This follows concerns over fraudulent claims within the R370-a-month Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
Social Grants in Danger
Committee Chair Bridget Masango emphasized that any officials found guilty of fraud or misconduct must be held accountable. Additionally, the committee has raised concerns over long queues at SASSA offices, call center failures, and online application issues. Here’s everything you need to know.
SASSA Grant Payment System Under Investigation
At a briefing in Cape Town, Masango stated that the entire SASSA grant payment system needs urgent scrutiny, not just the SRD grant. This follows a previous commitment by the Department of Social Development (DSD) and Minister Nokuzola Tolashe to investigate allegations of SRD grant fraud.
How the SRD Grant Fraud Was Discovered
Two Stellenbosch University students, Joel Cedras and Veer Gosai, discovered serious security flaws in SASSA’s payment system. Their research found that:
- Fraudulent SRD applications were being processed using the ID numbers of individuals who had just turned 18.
- Their findings were presented to MPs in Parliament.
- The government launched a R280,000 investigation, but it failed to answer critical questions about the system’s weaknesses.
Now, Parliament is pushing for a broader investigation to identify fraud and prevent further misuse of funds.
Committee Extends SASSA Fraud Investigation Beyond SRD Grant
Masango confirmed that the DSD has been given additional time to conduct a more detailed investigation.
No final deadline has been set, but the first committee meeting in February 2025 will review progress.
To strengthen security, the committee will also collaborate with the Department of Home Affairs, as ID numbers are critical for grant applications.
Officials Implicated in Grant Fraud Will Be Held Accountable
Masango stressed that any officials found guilty of fraud or misconduct must be brought to book.
“The investigation revealed that there are officials implicated in this. They will have to be held accountable.”
Strict action is expected against those responsible for manipulating the SASSA grant system.
Major Issues in SASSA’s Service Delivery
1. Long Queues at SASSA Offices
MPs found SASSA’s queue management system ineffective.
Beneficiaries wait in long lines due to staff shortages and limited resources.
Many branches operate with only two open cubicles, with only one fully functional computer.
2. SASSA Call Centre Fails to Assist Beneficiaries
Committee members called 212 SASSA offices nationwide:
Only one office provided useful assistance.
Other offices either failed to answer or said they “didn’t know what we were talking about.”
3. Online Application System Unreliable
SASSA’s online system frequently crashes due to:
Load shedding
System downtime
Poor technical infrastructure
Many applicants struggle to apply for grants due to these ongoing failures.
FAQ’s
Why is Parliament investigating the SASSA grant payment system?
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Services is investigating SASSA’s grant payment system due to concerns over fraud and inefficiencies, particularly within the R370 SRD grant.
What fraud was discovered in the SRD grant system?
Two Stellenbosch University students found that fraudulent SRD applications were being processed using the ID numbers of individuals who had just turned 18.
Will officials involved in SASSA fraud face consequences?
Yes, Bridget Masango has confirmed that officials found guilty of fraud or misconduct will be held accountable and face legal consequences.
What are the major issues with SASSA’s service delivery?
SASSA faces long queues, an ineffective call centre, frequent online system failures, and staff shortages at many of its branches, affecting service quality.
When will the final investigation report on SASSA fraud be released?
No deadline has been set for the final report, but Parliament’s Portfolio Committee will discuss the findings in its first sitting in February 2025.
