Sisisi Tolashe Backs SASSA Reforms to Boost Efficiency and Combat Grant Fraud

Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has expressed confidence in the ongoing reforms at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), highlighting significant progress in improving efficiency and intensifying efforts to eliminate fraud and corruption from the country’s social grant system.

Biometric Enrollment to Tackle Fraud

One of the flagship interventions currently being rolled out is the Beneficiary Biometric Enrollment programme, which requires grant recipients to verify their identity through fingerprint or facial recognition at SASSA offices. The Minister described this as a crucial measure to curb fraudulent activities in the grant system, ensuring that only legitimate beneficiaries continue to receive support.

The biometric system is part of a broader set of reforms to strengthen accountability and transparency in the administration of social grants. According to Tolashe, it will “thwart fraudulent elements within the system” while protecting the integrity of the government’s largest social protection programme.

Social Grant Reviews to Ensure Eligibility

Complementing biometric verification, SASSA is also implementing social grant reviews to reassess beneficiary eligibility. This measure aims to remove individuals who no longer qualify for grants, thereby saving the fiscus from undue financial strain at a time when government budgets are under pressure.

The Minister emphasised that the leadership’s focus is on protecting public funds while ensuring that grants reach the millions of vulnerable South Africans who depend on them for survival.

Stronger Leadership and Organisational Stability

Minister Tolashe praised SASSA’s leadership team under CEO Themba Matlou, noting that his agility and commitment have been key to accelerating reforms and improving communication with the public. She said his team has consistently kept citizens informed about changes in the system and has inspired officials to deliver services with renewed dedication.

Matlou, in turn, commended the Minister’s guidance, saying her leadership has motivated executives to step up service delivery and advance social protection goals.

The Minister also acknowledged that SASSA’s reputation has been tainted by fraud allegations in recent years. However, she stressed that the agency has introduced robust fraud prevention strategies, which are yielding positive results. Audit outcomes have improved, and several SASSA officials implicated in fraud—particularly in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape—have been arrested.

Filling Critical Posts Across Regions

To strengthen institutional stability, Tolashe has ensured that six SASSA regions now have permanent Regional Executive Managers (REMs), reversing the trend of acting appointments that dominated under the previous administration. This change is expected to bring continuity, accountability, and stronger oversight at the regional level.

The Minister also committed to further capacitation of SASSA offices, aimed at reducing long queues and improving service delivery for millions of beneficiaries who depend on grants such as the old-age pension, disability grants, and the child support grant.

Organisational Restructuring for Efficiency

SASSA is currently finalising a new organisational structure to ensure that frontline offices—where beneficiaries interact directly with officials—are fully staffed and adequately resourced. According to the Minister, this restructuring is key to ensuring “efficiency and uninterrupted services” for clients.

She noted that improved organisational efficiency will not only save government resources but also significantly enhance the customer experience. Beneficiaries should be able to access services quickly and without the frustration of long delays.

Rebuilding Trust in Social Protection

Minister Tolashe acknowledged that rebuilding public trust in SASSA is essential. The agency distributes grants to over 18 million South Africans, making it one of the most critical social protection systems on the continent. By addressing corruption, strengthening systems, and enhancing service delivery, the government aims to restore confidence in SASSA as a lifeline for the most vulnerable.

The Minister concluded that while challenges remain, the progress being made under the current administration represents a new chapter in the fight against fraud, inefficiency, and poor service delivery—a chapter she believes will ensure that SASSA remains a trusted institution for generations to come.