Pretoria: The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has issued a warning to beneficiaries regarding the ongoing review process. Failure to adhere to the process may lead to the suspension and potential permanent lapsing of their grants.

According to South African Government News Agency, SASSA CEO Matlou emphasized that continued non-compliance could result in the agency recouping any incorrect payments made to beneficiaries. Matlou highlighted that beneficiaries who have been receiving grants they were not eligible for will be subject to a debt recovery process.

During a media briefing in Pretoria, Matlou revealed that over 140,000 SMS notifications have been dispatched to beneficiaries selected for review. However, the response rate suggests that many beneficiaries may have changed their contact details without notifying SASSA. Despite efforts to communicate changes through various media, some beneficiaries remain unaware.

Matlou noted that SASSA has previously observed that many beneficiaries fail to update their contact information, resulting in missed notifications for reviews. To address this, SASSA has sent bulk SMS messages and registered letters to available addresses. The agency plans to enhance communication strategies through community engagement and increased visibility on public platforms.

SASSA is also working on automating the review process by introducing self-service options via online platforms. This initiative aims to simplify the review process for beneficiaries and reduce queues at local offices. Beneficiaries with payment concerns are encouraged to contact SASSA through the toll-free number or visit their website.

Operating under strict budgetary conditions set by the National Treasury, SASSA is mandated by the Social Assistance Act to review social grants. In February 2025, the National Treasury provided SASSA with a preliminary allocation letter for the 2025 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, outlining compliance framework conditions. These conditions aim to enhance fiscal accountability, operational efficiency, and program integrity.

Matlou reaffirmed SASSA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement of the social grant system. He stressed the agency’s dedication to serving vulnerable communities and ensuring that deserving beneficiaries are not unfairly penalized. SASSA maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud and corruption.

The agency is finalizing the implementation of biometric identification infrastructure to enhance security and integrity in grant administration processes.