Sassa CEO, Themba Matlou,
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is tightening its grip on grant fraud and ineligible beneficiaries, with a recent review flagging thousands of people in Mpumalanga for possible financial changes.
This was revealed by Sassa CEO, Themba Matlou, during the agency’s first Media Networking event in Mbombela, held at the Emnotweni Arena on August 12.
Matlou announced that 13,000 individuals in the province were flagged through Credit Bureau data checks as having experienced financial changes that could impact their eligibility for social grants.
He explained that Sassa has embarked on a comprehensive review process to identify beneficiaries who may no longer qualify for grants due to shifts in their financial, medical, or legal circumstances.
While some of these cases have already lapsed, 7,936 remain under review in Mpumalanga.
“We reported that 210,000 people nationally were flagged through Credit Bureau checks for possible changes in financial circumstances, affecting their grant eligibility. SMS notifications have been sent to most of these beneficiaries, and the majority have presented themselves for the review process.In addition to the beneficiary review, Sassa is intensifying its anti-fraud efforts,” he said.
Matlou also confirmed that the agency investigated 24 fraud cases in Mpumalanga during the last financial year, all of which have been finalised.
The agency has developed a robust anti-fraud management strategy and bolstered its Risk and Compliance unit to proactively prevent and investigate fraudulent activities.
“Our aim is to restore trust, confidence and integrity in the grant system,” Matlou said, highlighting that the unit’s capacity has been strengthened and fraud investigations have been declared a flagship project for the agency.
He also noted the significant economic impact of Sassa’s operations in the province, with approximately R1.5 million in social grants, including the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant, being paid out in Mpumalanga each month.
Matlou underscored the agency’s commitment to its mandate, stating,
“We ensure that grants are paid only to legitimate beneficiaries in line with our mandate under the Social Assistance Act.”
