The National Assembly has adopted the Portfolio Committee on Social Development’s report on a petition submitted by Western Cape senior citizens relating to the payment of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants and related matters.
The Speaker of the National Assembly had referred the petition to the committee in September 2025; this forms part of Parliament’s constitutional mandate to receive and consider petitions from members of the public. The committee subsequently received presentations from the petitioners, the Department of Social Development (DSD) and SASSA.
The petition raised concerns on behalf of older persons from several Western Cape communities, including Ravensmead, Elsies River, Khayelitsha, Hanover Park and Langa. According to the petitioners, senior citizens in these communities have experienced a range of challenges in accessing social grants and SASSA services, including delays in grant payments, lengthy review and appeals processes and concerns regarding the treatment of beneficiaries at service points, among other issues.
In its report, the committee noted ongoing service delivery challenges at some SASSA offices, including long queues, slow service, inadequate communication and concerns regarding the treatment of beneficiaries. The committee also highlighted the impact of the rising cost of living on older people and emphasised the importance of ensuring that beneficiaries are treated with dignity and respect.
The committee recommended that the Minister of Social Development engage with the Minister of Finance on reviewing the value of the Older Persons Grant in relation to inflation and rising food costs. The committee further recommended that the Department of Social Development accelerate work relating to the Basic Income Grant and engage municipalities on expanding rebates for pensioners on essential municipal services.
With regard to SASSA, the committee recommended that it update information provided to beneficiaries on grant eligibility requirements and means-test thresholds and continue implementing customer-care and cultural-sensitivity training for front-line staff and security personnel.
The report further notes that SASSA should provide monthly progress reports to the committee on measures aimed at reducing long queues, improving kiosk performance and strengthening communication with beneficiaries. The Independent Appeals Tribunal is also expected to provide quarterly reports on the processing of appeals.
The adoption of the report gives effect to Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to receive and consider petitions from members of the public. Through this process, individuals and communities are afforded an opportunity to bring matters of public concern before Parliament for consideration and possible intervention by the relevant authorities. To obtain a full copy of the report, please click here.
Malentsoe Magwagwa
8 June 2026
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