SASSA lauds its anti-fraud system after dismissal of 65 employees

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says the dismissal of more than 65 employees since April last year indicates that its Anti-Fraud Management Strategy is yielding results. The officials were dismissed after being found guilty of serious misconduct . In the latest incident, four officials were dismissed in Gauteng following a disciplinary process into allegations of the fraudulent administration of social grants. SASSA spokesperson, Dr Paseka Letsatsi, says the agency has adopted a mechanism to ensure that stolen funds are recovered. “You’d remember these are staff members, and if they are dismissed, obviously they would have their pension money; we would find out how much they have, and the agency is left with no option but to recoup the amount of money which was defrauded from the agency,” explains Dr Letsatsi. Sassa | “Fraud” uncovered in SRD grant Meanwhile, the human rights and advocacy organisation, Black Sash, says while it welcomes the extension of the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant for another year, they wish for it to be permanent. During his 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) last week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the extension of the SRD grant for another year. However, he is yet to provide an update on plans to transform it into a permanent livelihood grant. Black Sash’s Jerome Bele says it would make things much easier for the unemployed if the grant were to be made permanent. “We welcome the extension of the SRD grant for another year. So that is a huge benefit to those who are unemployed, and we humbly request the government to make it permanent. So that the beneficiaries will know that whenever they need it, it is always there for them. So we, as the Black Sash, appreciate what the government has done to extend it for another year,” explains Bele. MTBPS 2026 | Breakdown of South Africa’s economic roadmap