To download the soundbite of the Chairperson, Ms Bridget Masango click here: https://iono.fm/e/1521048
Parliament, Friday, 24 January 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Ms Bridget Masango has called on the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to restore the suspended Electronic Know Your Client (eKYC) system to allow eligible beneficiaries to verify their identity and receive their grants..
SASSA has informed all Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant recipients that they are suspending their grant payments to verify and confirm their identity and prevent fraudulent applications. SRD grant beneficiaries are required to re-apply and verify their identity using the eKYC system. However, SASSA has suspended this system, preventing beneficiaries from verifying their identity.
“We appreciate the effort to combat fraud, but we strongly express concern about the suspended eKYC verification system that leaves thousands of eligible people unable to prove their eligibility”, Ms Masango said.
According to media reports, SASSA has suspended 100 550 SRD grant payments in the Eastern Cape as part of its ongoing investigation into the weaknesses in the SRD grant payment system. It is not clear what the percentage of those committing fraud is because the verification system is offline. “The Minister must intervene and ensure that the verification system is brought back online to enable the deserving beneficiaries to receive their grants,” the Chairperson said.
While the committee is aware of the ongoing investigation into the weaknesses of the SRD grant payment system, it reiterates that deserving beneficiaries should not be negatively affected by the processes SASSA is undertaking as part of the investigation.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, MS BRIDGET MASANGO.
For media enquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Faith Ndenze
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 377 0686
Email: fndenze@parliament.gov.za
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