Weaknesses in Sassa payment system triggers portfolio committee concern after qualified audit

Weaknesses in the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) payment system have left the department of social development with a qualified audit for the 2025/26 financial year.

Members of the portfolio committee on social development expressed serious concern on October 6, after a briefing by the office of the Auditor-General on the outcomes of the department and its entities.

Read more: Sassa introduces biometric enrolment to curb grant fraud

The main concern focused on continued system failures, including grant payments made to deceased individuals and government employees. The committee noted that these failures raise doubts about internal controls intended to ensure social support goes only to eligible beneficiaries.

Chairperson Bridget Masango stated that a qualified opinion cannot be treated as normal, given the department’s responsibility to manage social protection and safeguard public money.

“A qualified audit opinion is not an outcome that the committee can accept as business as usual. We are concerned that weaknesses in the system continue to expose public funds to wastage, particularly where payments are made to people who are no longer eligible to receive social grants,” Masango said.

Also read: Government launches voter registration drive for 2026 local government elections

“Every rand lost through weaknesses in the system is a rand that could otherwise be directed towards supporting vulnerable South Africans. The department and Sassa must strengthen their verification and control systems to ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are intended.”

The committee expects the department and Sassa to implement the Auditor-General’s corrective measures and tighten internal controls to stop improper payments.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!