Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has warned that failure to comply with the current review process may result in the suspension, and possible permanent lapsing of their grants.

“Continued non-compliance may lead to the permanent lapsing of their grants. Beneficiaries are advised that SASSA is also empowered by the Act to recoup any money that would have been paid to the beneficiary incorrectly.

“This means that, should we find out that you have been receiving social grants that you were not eligible to receive, SASSA will institute a debt recovery process where you will have to pay back the money,” SASSA CEO Matlou warned.

Matlou’s warning came during a media briefing on the current social grant review process, held in Pretoria on Monday.

Over 140 000 notifications sent to beneficiaries

Matlou announced that the review process has already seen over 140 000 SMS notifications sent to beneficiaries selected for review.

However, Matlou noted that the non-responsiveness is an indication that some beneficiaries may have changed their contact details but failed to inform SASSA.

Matlou acknowledged that while SASSA communicated the changes through various media platforms and public announcements, some beneficiaries may have missed the communication.

“SASSA has in previous years noticed that many beneficiaries do not update their contact details with SASSA and consequently do not receive the notices for them to come in to conduct a review. We have sent out bulk SMS messages and registered letters to the addresses we have in our possession.

“We are working on strengthening our communication approach, including through more robust community-level engagement and increased visibility of information on official and public platforms. We will also increase the operating hours, employ additional capacity to address long queues that have been recently experienced during this important review process,” Matlou said.

He said the agency is also working hard to automate the review process by introducing self-service options using online platforms to make it easier for the beneficiaries to complete their reviews and reduce the queues in local offices.

Matlou urged beneficiaries who have not received their payment, or are uncertain about their payment status to contact SASSA through the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or visit www.sassa.gov.za.

Budget allocation conditions

While SASSA is mandated by the Social Assistance Act to review social grants, Matlou said the agency is also operating under strict budgetary conditions set by the National Treasury.

He said in February 2025, the National Treasury issued SASSA with a preliminary allocation letter for the 2025 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which contained compliance framework strict conditions the agency needed to put in place since they became binding and form part of the approved budgetary allocations for the financial year.

“These conditions direct SASSA to find mechanisms to save costs through its review process to ensure money is not paid to those undeserving beneficiaries to enhance fiscal accountability, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the integrity of the Social Assistance Programme.

“They cover critical areas such as income verification, biometric checks, inter-agency data cross-referencing, and quarterly reporting obligations. The conditions also reflect Treasury’s intent to strengthen oversight and promote transparency in the administration of social grants,” Matlou said.

Matlou reaffirmed SASSA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement of the social grant system.

“We take our responsibility seriously to serve the most vulnerable in our society and will work harder to ensure that no beneficiary is left confused or disadvantaged. SASSA remains committed to protecting the right and dignity of each beneficiary by ensuring that no one who qualifies is unfairly penalized.

“Our efforts are directed at preserving the social assistance system for those who genuinely need it. SASSA enforces a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud and corruption, both from beneficiaries and within its own ranks,” the CEO said.

He said the agency is also finalising the implementation of biometric identification infrastructure aimed to enhance security and integrity in grant administration processes. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has reassured beneficiaries of social grants that no payments have been suspended or halted due to the ongoing social grant review process.

Addressing the media on the current social grant review process on Monday, SASSA CEO, Themba Matlou, emphasised that all valid approved grants remain valid, and payments continue to be processed.

“Any beneficiary with an active and valid grant remains entitled to receive their payment,” Matlou said.

Matlou explained that SASSA derives its mandate from the Constitution of the republic of South Africa and SASSA Act, which is to administer, manage and payment of social grants to eligible beneficiaries.

He also highlighted that SASSA conducts regular reviews, as required by Regulation 30 of the Social Assistance Act, to ensure that every person receiving a social grant remains eligible based on their current circumstances.

“Section 14(5) of the Social Assistance Act requires beneficiaries to notify SASSA of any material change in their circumstances, including financial, marital as soon as reasonably possible. This obligation is also stated in the approval letter each beneficiary receives,” Matlou said.

As a result of this legislation, Matlou said that in April 2025, SASSA announced its plans for reviews for the 2025/26 financial year. The targeted reviews aim to ascertain the eligibility of beneficiaries for whom the agency have obtained information that their circumstances have changed, and as a result, may no longer qualify for a social grant.

Matlou also noted that the agency has this year introduced and implemented a fourth payment date to its payment schedule, where beneficiaries targeted for a review are paid on the fourth day of the payment cycle, to ensure that they receive their payment after the necessary review, “without prejudicing the general payment cycle for others.”

“We believe this strategy is better than previous rounds where beneficiaries who do not receive their notifications only find out that they have been placed on review when they get suspended; at which time it is too late to have their payment for the month re-instated.

“Those beneficiaries who have not received a notification and are getting their payments on the normal pay dates (between the 2nd and 5th of the month), do not have to contact the agency,” Matlou said.

On the complaints about access to SASSA offices, the CEO acknowledged the challenges during the month of June, where few beneficiaries came forward, except in some offices in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. However, he said the numbers have increased significantly in the month of July.

He assured that the agency is constantly monitoring the numbers, and will adjust its operational plans accordingly, to ensure that “it remains within our capacity.”

Importance of the reviews

Matlou stressed that the review of social grants helps identify beneficiaries who may no longer qualify due to changes in their financial, medical, or legal circumstances.

The review also serves as a confirmation of life or existence, ensuring that grants are not paid out to deceased individuals or those who have relocated without updating their records.

The reviews further allow SASSA to detect and prevent cases where individuals continue receiving grants despite being listed on payroll systems of other entities, including public or private.

“This is being done to safeguard the integrity of the social assistance system [and] to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive support, preventing fraud and misuse of public funds.

“SASSA is undertaking the social grants review process for the better good of the government fiscus, thus ensuring that grants are paid to eligible beneficiaries and all the fraudulent elements are rooted out,” Matlou said.

SASSA Executive Manager Grants Administration, Brenton Van Vrede, noted that with the reviews, the agency is not targeting the most vulnerable but those that have multiple sources of income.

“If the mother of the child receives child maintenance from the father or an Older Person’s Grant beneficiary receives some sort of support from their child/children, it is unlikely to suspend the grant. If so, they will need to alert SASSA for assessment,” Van Vrede said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, July 14, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has announced the secondment of Dr Kenny Tenza from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI).

Tenza has taken on the role of Acting Deputy Director-General for Technology Innovation, effective 1 July 2025. This secondment will last for 12 months.

The Minister highlighted Tenza’s qualifications, referring to him as an accomplished academic and a highly decorated scientist. 

He emphasised Tenza’s extensive knowledge of the technology innovation field and noted that he has held prominent positions in leading scientific organisations both in the country and worldwide.

In his current position as the Business Development and Commercialisation Executive at the CSIR’s Advanced Chemistry and Life Sciences Division, he oversees the commercialisation of proprietary intellectual property in the agriculture, food, chemicals, and health industries. 

Nzimande said that Tenza is making a significant contribution to the re-industrialisation of South Africa through innovations in science.

“Dr Tenza also possesses a unique blend of executive leadership skills, which includes strategic leadership, culture change management, strategy development and implementation, financial sustainability, capability development, performance, operations, and governance.”

The Minister believes that Tenza’s experience and expertise will be essential in driving the department’s efforts to reposition their technology innovation instruments and programmes. 

“I also wish to urge the staff in the department and from our entities to support Dr Tenza in his new role.” – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, July 14, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, July 14, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, July 14, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined the scope of a judicial commission of inquiry that will focus on investigating “allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates”.

The commission will be chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

The President made the announcement during an address to the nation on Sunday evening.

The establishment of the commission is related to serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

“Among the allegations that the commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime; suppression or manipulation of investigations; inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership; commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistleblowers or officials resisting criminal influence.

“The commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity; failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings; or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate’s operations.

“These institutions are the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, the Judiciary and Magistracy, and the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane,” he said.

Furthermore, the commission will also investigate if any National Executive members “responsible for the criminal justice system, were complicit, aided and abetted, or participated in the acts mentioned above”.

“The commission will be asked to report on the effectiveness or failure of oversight mechanisms, and the adequacy of current legislation, policies and institutional arrangements in preventing such infiltration. It will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform.

“Once established, the commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies.

“Where appropriate, the commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations,” President Ramaphosa explained.

The commission will submit interim reports after three and six months.

“The commission will have the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the commission will uncover.

“It is critical that these matters be attended to with the necessary urgency and thoroughness. 

“The commission is expected to complete its work and submit a final report to the President. The final report of the commission will be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice,” he said.

The President noted that the commission’s establishment comes as the country is making progress in the rebuilding and strengthening of law enforcement agencies and security services.

“In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption. It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work.

“We will ensure that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies continue to function without hindrance as the commission undertakes its work. I call on all members of our law enforcement agencies and security services to remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and adhering to their code of conduct.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that the establishment of the commission is a testament to “our commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability”.

“I call on all South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require.

“In establishing this commission of inquiry, we are affirming our commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability, and to building a South Africa in which all people are safe and secure,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence with immediate effect.

The President has also announced a judicial commission of inquiry – led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga – into the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The President made the announcements during an address to the nation on Sunday evening.

During a media briefing last week, Mkhwanazi made several allegations about an alleged criminal syndicate that has “spread its tentacles into law enforcement and intelligence services”.

Mkhwanazi also made allegations against the Police Minister – alleging that Mchunu colluded with criminal elements to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal.

During the address to the nation, the President emphasised that the allegations “call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation”.

“To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of Inquiry, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Justice Madlanga will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.

“In order for the Commission to execute its functions effectively, I have decided to put the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, on a leave of absence with immediate effect. The Minister has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the Commission to enable it to do its work,” President Ramaphosa said.

Mkhwanazi had also made allegations about the uncovering of a drug cartel, implicating, amongst others, the judiciary, law enforcement, prosecutors and politicians.

The President said these allegations “raise serious concerns around the Constitution, the rule of law and national security”.

“These allegations, if proven true, threaten to undermine the confidence of South Africans in the ability of the South African Police Service to protect them and to effectively fight crime and corruption.

“South Africans are concerned about corruption and the rise of criminality in our country, which manifests itself in the killing of innocent people, gender-based violence, gang violence, kidnappings, construction mafia criminality and many others.

“As we intensify the fight against crime, it is vital that we safeguard the integrity and credibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies,” President Ramaphosa said.

With the Police Minister now on a leave of absence, Professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed as acting Minister  in terms of Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution.

“Professor Cachalia is currently a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand and is the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council. He previously served as a MEC of Community Safety in Gauteng.

“Professor Cachalia will be retiring from his current position at the University of Witwatersrand at the end of July. I will appoint an Acting Minister from within Cabinet until Professor Cachalia takes up his post at the beginning of August,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za