Category: Africa

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says its intensified social grant review process has saved government approximately R44 million per month, translating to about R0.5 billion annually, as it tightens controls to ensure that social assistance reaches only eligible beneficiaries.

Providing an update during a media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday, SASSA CEO Themba Matlou said the review process, introduced at the start of the 2025/2026 financial year, is aimed at strengthening the effectiveness, reliability and integrity of the social assistance system, while guarding against wasteful expenditure in a constrained fiscal environment.

“The social grant review process is an important step not only to safeguard the integrity of the social assistance programme but to also ensure that public funds are directed to those who need them most, including reducing [the] level of fraud and misuse of public funds,” Matlou said. 

The agency said the process is closely monitored by National Treasury, which has set conditions to accelerate implementation, including income verification, biometric checks, inter-agency data cross-referencing and quarterly reporting obligations. 

“These measures are intended to enhance service delivery, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the cost-effective administration of social assistance, while safeguarding the system so that social grants are paid only to eligible beneficiaries. 

“We must appreciate the cooperation of all affected beneficiaries who understood this process and came forward to review their social grants,” Matlou explained. 

SASSA said that for the current financial year, it planned to undertake 420 000 grant reviews and that by the third quarter just under 400 000 beneficiaries had been notified to come forward. To date, approximately 240 000 grants have been reviewed, while about 70 000 grants were suspended due to beneficiaries failing to conduct reviews. 

The agency emphasised that the review process is conducted in line with Regulation 30 and Section 14(5) of the Social Assistance Act, 2004, which requires SASSA to regularly review social grants to confirm beneficiaries’ continued eligibility, while beneficiaries are legally obliged to report any material changes in their circumstances, including financial or marital status. 

As part of efforts to modernise the system and ease pressure at local offices, SASSA has rolled out compulsory biometric enrolment for all new grant applications, implemented life certification for identified beneficiaries, and introduced a self-service portal that allows beneficiaries to complete life certification remotely through e-Life Certification.

“Going forward, SASSA will progressively make the social grant review process available through self-service platforms to improve accessibility, efficiency, and convenience for beneficiaries,” Matlou said. 

Enhancing verification

The CEO said that the agency has also strengthened partnerships with credit bureaus, banks, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and other institutions to enhance income verification and detect irregular grant access patterns.

Through data matching with SARS, the agency identified 495 296 clients who appear not eligible to receive grants, with verification already underway. A further 162 574 clients were identified through income verification testing involving NSFAS and other entities, while 291 581 individuals were flagged across various government payroll systems.

“Beneficiaries identified through this process are required to present themselves for review and disclosure. Failure to comply may result in grant suspension,” Matlou cautioned. 

SASSA also acknowledged challenges linked to beneficiaries not updating contact details, which can result in missed review notifications. To address this, the agency introduced a fourth payment date in the social grants’ payment cycle as a signal for beneficiaries to contact SASSA if payment is not received during the normal first three payment days.

Consequences for non-compliance

The agency stressed that grant reviews and life certification are critical to preventing payments to deceased individuals or ineligible beneficiaries, detecting fraud, protecting public funds and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the social assistance system.

“Beneficiaries who fail to comply with [the] review or life certification requirements may have their grants suspended, with continued non-compliance potentially resulting in the lapsing of grants.

“Beneficiaries are therefore reminded of their obligation to inform SASSA of any changes to their personal circumstances, including contact information, marital status, and income to avoid their grants being suspended or lapsed.”

SASSA reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of beneficiaries, noting that grants are not cancelled solely on the basis of checks. 

“SASSA remains committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all beneficiaries by ensuring that no person who qualifies for social assistance is unfairly disadvantaged. However, it is important to note that SASSA does not cancel any grant on the basis of these checks. 

“The beneficiary is notified that they are under review, and it is only if they fail to conduct the review within the legislated time period that their grant will be suspended and eventually lapsed if they do not come forward for a review after suspension,” the CEO said. 

The agency said it has increased capacity at local offices to manage the expected influx of beneficiaries presenting themselves for reviews, as it continues to scale up efforts to ensure that social assistance reaches those who need it most. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as a cornerstone of the country’s democratic and economic development, describing the institution as “the engine room of the South African state”.

The President was speaking on Thursday during an oversight visit to the SARS National Command Centre in Brooklyn, Pretoria, where he was briefed on the organisation’s operations and ongoing modernisation initiatives.

“It is an honour and privilege to be here at the SARS National Command Centre, which is the engine room of the South African state,” President Ramaphosa said.

He emphasised the unique role SARS plays in building a capable state and sustaining democracy, noting that the institution has been central to funding public services, infrastructure development and inclusive economic growth.

“The South African Revenue Service occupies a unique and critical role in the life of our nation; it is at the heart of our efforts to build a capable state,” the President said.

By strengthening compliance, the President said SARS ensures that government has sufficient, predictable resources for the delivery of public services, to invest in infrastructure to better the lives of the people, and to drive inclusive growth.

President Ramaphosa highlighted SARS’ contribution since its establishment in 1997, noting that the institution has collected more than R23 trillion in tax revenue over nearly three decades.

“SARS is a creation of our democracy. And for nearly 30 years, it has sustained our democracy,” he said.

He commended SARS for embracing innovation, saying that by harnessing new technologies and better understanding taxpayers, the organisation has positioned itself at the forefront of global best practice in tax administration.

“This organisation stands as a shining example of global tax collection best practice. It is one of the most effective, best run and trusted state institutions in our country,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa noted that public trust in SARS has grown significantly in recent years, increasing from 48 percent to 75 percent in just five years. He added that improvements in business and investor confidence are linked to the work of the revenue service.

“The regulatory environment is a key consideration for investors looking to bring their business to our country. They seek certainty in tax policy and honesty and efficiency in tax administration,” he said.

The President linked SARS’ performance to South Africa’s first sovereign credit rating upgrade in nearly two decades, noting that strong value-added tax and corporate income tax receipts were among the factors cited by S&P.

He further acknowledged SARS’ role in the multidisciplinary efforts that led to South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in October last year.

Reflecting on the institution’s past challenges, President Ramaphosa said SARS, like other key state institutions, had been severely affected during the era of state capture.

“Like a number of other key state institutions, SARS was severely impacted by the state capture era, with political meddling, mismanagement and corruption hampering its efficiency,” he said.

He commended the organisation for implementing the recommendations of the Nugent Commission of Inquiry and for its ongoing transformation.

“Eight years later, the majority of the recommendations have been implemented as the organisation continues along its transformative journey to become ‘a smart, modern SARS with unquestionable integrity that is trusted and admired’,” the President said.

While acknowledging early signs of economic recovery, President Ramaphosa said revenue collection remains challenging amid slow growth and rising living costs. He stressed the importance of SARS in supporting the priorities of the Government of National Unity.

“We need to have the fiscal space to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation, reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living, and build a capable, ethical developmental state,” he said.

The President welcomed the launch of Project AmaBillions, a SARS initiative aimed at recovering an estimated R300 billion in legally due outstanding taxes and reiterated the institution’s role in combating corruption and illicit economic activity.

“Through lifestyle audits, enforcement actions directed at the illicit economy and other efforts, SARS is playing a leading role in this fight,” he said.

President Ramaphosa expressed appreciation to SARS staff across the country, acknowledging the difficulty and pressure associated with enforcing tax compliance.

“Thank you for doing what is one of the state’s most difficult jobs: enforcing tax compliance and taking tough decisions with fairness and integrity, often under immense pressure and criticism,” he said.

He also thanked partner institutions within the compliance and enforcement ecosystem, including the Financial Intelligence Centre, the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit, as well as financial institutions and data providers.

In concluding his address, President Ramaphosa paid tribute to SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter for his leadership since 2019.

“Your leadership has been vital to restoring the credibility and integrity of this critical South African institution.

“You leave an organisation that is much more cohesive, efficient, capable and trusted than when you took office. The real measure of your contribution is not how much revenue SARS collected during your tenure, but by how well prepared it is for a challenging future,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said he was impressed by the visit and confident in SARS’ continued progress. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued a dam safety directive to address serious and ongoing safety risks at My Own Dam, publicly known as Senteeko Dam, in Mpumalanga.

The directive, issued in terms of Section 118 of the National Water Act, was served on the dam owner, Shamile Communal Property Association (CPA), on Tuesday, 3 February 2025.

It compels the owner to take immediate, time-bound action to stabilise the dam and prevent further deterioration in order to protect lives, livelihoods and property downstream.

This intervention follows a series of technical assessments which confirmed that the dam is still in a compromised and partially failed condition, and that without urgent remedial action, further deterioration is likely to continue.

As outlined in the directive, these conditions pose an unacceptable level of risk that cannot be adequately managed through monitoring alone.

The department said it is acting decisively to ensure that the dam owner fulfils their legal obligation to maintain the dam in a safe condition.

The department warned that continued deterioration of the dam presents a direct threat to downstream farming communities, including the risk of loss of life and damage to homes, agricultural land and infrastructure.

“These risks are heightened during periods of rainfall and cannot be ignored or deferred. The department is clear that the risk associated with the Senteeko Dam has not yet been averted, and regulatory enforcement will remain in place until that risk is meaningfully reduced,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Engineers have consciously avoided lowering water levels too rapidly, as a sudden drawdown could trigger further structural failure of the already compromised dam wall.

To address the prevailing risk, the dam owner’s Appointed Professional Engineer (APP) has been instructed to urgently assess the dam’s condition and determine the remedial measures required to prevent further deterioration and reduce the risk of failure.

“These determinations must be completed within seven days from the date of the directive and submitted to the department’s Dam Safety Office for review and approval. Once the proposed measures are approved, the department will require the dam owner to immediately commence urgent repair works, including the appointment of a competent and suitably qualified contractor.

“All repair works must be carried out [with] the supervision of the APP and continue until the department is satisfied that the dam no longer poses an unacceptable risk to downstream communities.”

The department said all required engineering designs and technical submissions must be received on or before 13 February 2026, in strict accordance with the timelines set out in the directive.

“Failure to comply with these instructions will result in further enforcement action, as provided for by the law.”

The department said it would prioritise all necessary regulatory approvals to ensure corrective work proceeds without delay, adding that protecting human life, property and livelihoods downstream of the Senteeko Dam remains its foremost concern.

The department will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as developments occur.

 – SAnews.gov.za
 

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Acting CEO, Wassem Carrim, on Thursday highlighted steady progress made by the student funding body in clearing backlogs and expanding access to funding for eligible students.

Carrim highlighted that more than 180 000 outstanding documents that were submitted to NSFAS, led to an additional 50 000 funding approvals, prior to the closing of the registration cycle.

The processing covers first-time entering students, returning university students and continuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students.

As a developmental fund that recognises South Africa’s complex social realities, NSFAS allows applicants with outstanding documentation an opportunity to resubmit, a process that has yielded significant results.

Carrim said teams have been working around the clock to address outstanding documents; an effort which has directly contributed to the approval of an additional 50 000 students for funding before the close of the registration cycle.

However, he noted that some students continue to upload incorrect, incomplete, or unclear documents, which creates a feedback loop between outstanding documents and NSFAS’s ability to consider the applications.

“NSFAS encourages students to send clear, correct copies of documents requested,” Carrim said.

One of the sticky points in outstanding documents related to the consent form, which is used to obtain permission from an applicant’s parent or guardian to verify household income through third-party data sources.

The consent form is used to obtain income data and has specific requirements from which information is compulsory for NSFAS to obtain from the parent(s) or guardian(s) for them to deem the form valid.

The Acting CEO explained that applications are often delayed when consent forms are incomplete, unsigned, undated, or incorrectly completed.

Common issues include forms being signed by students instead of parents, missing dates, incomplete mandatory fields, or cases where consent is provided for only one parent when both parents are identified through Home Affairs records.

In instances where a different individual is listed on the application, Carrim said a declaration form is required to explain the relationship, and this individual must also complete and sign the consent form.

“NSFAS has to verify income, and this also then leads to the requirement of a declaration form if the individual the applicant is including is not the parent at Home Affairs. The relationship must be explained,” Carrim said.

Over 660 000 students approved for funding

On the overall funding outcomes for the 2026 application cycle, NSFAS has approved 660 039 applications for student funding, while 85 662 applications are currently in the process of verification, where outstanding documents have already been submitted.

A total of 116 266 applications have been rejected for not meeting eligibility criteria, while 21 483 applications still have outstanding documents.

In addition, 13 052 loan applicants have been offered bursaries after meeting the qualifying criteria.

For continuing university students, 436 924 students met the academic progression criteria, while 109 761 did not. A further 4 945 students have outstanding results.

“Outstanding results may be due to supplementary examinations. Institutions are encouraged to upload these results so students may have clarity on their funding statuses,” Carrim said.

The results for continuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) student results were received from 15 January 2026 and processed within seven days of receipt.

Of the 210 989 continuing TVET students, 127 503 met the academic progression criteria, 79 461 did not, and 4 025 cases remain under review.

Over 26 000 loan applications received

Carrim also gave an update on loan applications, confirming that 26 538 loan applications were received.

Of these, 4 609 were converted to bursaries after meeting qualifying criteria; 1 561 loans were approved, while 20 368 applications did not meet academic or financial eligibility requirements. – SAnews.gov.za

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has undertaken a working visit to China.

The trip ,which started today and ends on Saturday, comes at a time when South Africa is pursuing an objective of market diversification and export growth. 

The purpose of the trip is to sign the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA), which will see South African exports getting duty free access to the Chinese Market and attract investment into South Africa.

Tau will also take the opportunity to meet with various Chinese companies that have an interest in investing in South Africa.

China has been South Africa’s major trading partner for more than 15 years. 

“South Africa and China have a strong bilateral relationship that has been elevated to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership as formalised during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s official visit to China in September 2024,” the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za