Sassa to roll out biometric enrolment to fight grant fraud

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will introduce mandatory beneficiary biometric enrolment at all its offices from 1 September.

The new system is aimed at reducing fraudulent applications and duplicate payments by ensuring every social grant recipient can be verified through biometric data.

According to Sassa, biometric enrolment will strengthen its risk controls and improve the integrity of the grant administration process.

It will also streamline documentation, reduce inclusion errors, and provide reliable verification of beneficiary authenticity and proof of life.

Sassa CEO Themba Matlou confirmed that following engagements with organised labour, outstanding issues had been resolved, paving the way for implementation.

“We had planned to commence biometric enrolment at the start of the 2025/26 financial year, but delays affected the roll out.

Those challenges have now been addressed, and it is all systems go,” said Matlou.

He noted that the initiative comes at a crucial time as the agency works to tighten its systems and prevent fraudulent activity.

“Biometric enrolment will ensure every grant recipient is verifiably authentic, and that our systems are resilient against manipulation and error, particularly in cases involving forged identity documents that frontline staff cannot reliably detect,” he said.

Applications submitted without biometric data will be placed into the review cycle, with applicants notified of the need to capture their biometrics as part of the process.

Matlou added that infrastructure and tools have already been set up in all Sassa offices nationwide. Training for frontline staff was completed during August to prepare for an effective roll out.

“This initiative will ensure a more secure and accountable grant system while safeguarding that recipients are living individuals at the time of application. We remain committed to paying the right social grant to the right beneficiaries,” he said.

Matlou also emphasised that the agency would act firmly against any officials suspected of colluding in fraud.

For grant enquiries, beneficiaries can visit www.Sassa.gov.za, call the toll-free number 0800 60 1011, or email GrantEnquiries@Sassa.gov.za

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