Parliament, Thursday, 5 February 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Ms Bridget Masango, has noted the update provided by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) on the ongoing social grant review process, describing it as a necessary intervention to protect public funds while safeguarding the rights of eligible beneficiaries.
Ms Masango said the committee has been closely monitoring the grant review process as part of its constitutional oversight responsibility over SASSA, particularly in light of the growing pressure on the national fiscus and the critical role social grants play in supporting vulnerable households.
“Social grants are a lifeline for millions of South Africans. It is therefore essential that the system is protected from abuse, while ensuring that no qualifying beneficiary is unfairly excluded,” Ms Masango said.
According to SASSA, approximately 28 million people rely on social grants every month, representing nearly 45% of the country’s population. The Agency has indicated that it planned to conduct 420 000 grant reviews in the current financial year and has already notified close to 400 000 beneficiaries, with about 240 000 reviews completed to date.
The committee noted that around 70 000 grants have been suspended due to beneficiaries failing to come forward for review. Ms Masango emphasised that suspension does not mean cancellation and urged beneficiaries to respond promptly when contacted by SASSA.
“SASSA has made it clear that beneficiaries are given up to 90 days, with multiple notices, to complete a review before a grant can lapse. The committee will continue to ensure that this process is applied fairly and in line with the law,” she said.
Ms Masango also welcomed the strengthening of verification systems, including biometric enrolment for new applications, life certification, and data matching with institutions such as SARS, NSFAS, credit bureaus, banks, and other government departments. These measures have reportedly resulted in savings of approximately R44 million per month, or about R0.5 billion annually.
“These savings are significant, but more importantly, they ensure that resources are redirected to people who genuinely qualify for social assistance,” she said.
However, Ms Masango cautioned that improved systems must not result in barriers to access for the poor, elderly, or people living in remote areas. She said the committee would closely monitor the implementation of self-service platforms, including electronic life certification, to ensure that beneficiaries are supported and not left behind due to digital exclusion.
The committee also expressed concern over beneficiaries failing to update their contact details, which may result in missed review notifications. Ms Masango welcomed SASSA’s introduction of a fourth payment date as an alert mechanism and called for sustained public communication.
The committee expects SASSA to intensify its outreach, particularly in rural and underserved communities, so that beneficiaries fully understand their responsibilities and the consequences of non-compliance.
Ms Masango reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to holding SASSA accountable while supporting efforts to modernise and strengthen the social assistance system.
“Our role is to ensure that SASSA operates lawfully, efficiently, and with compassion. We will continue to engage SASSA and National Treasury to ensure that social grants remain sustainable, credible, and responsive to the needs of our people,” she said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, MS BRIDGET MASANGO.
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