The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango, has demanded tighter controls at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) after the Auditor-General informed Parliament that approximately R211 million was paid to people who should not have received a grant. The figure emerges from the 2025/26 audit of the Department of Social Development and its entities, and has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the social grant system.
Masango expressed alarm at the findings, describing the irregular payments as a betrayal of the millions of legitimate beneficiaries who depend on grants for their survival. “Every rand that goes to someone who is not eligible is a rand that is taken away from a vulnerable person who truly needs it,” Masango said. “SASSA must act decisively to strengthen its verification systems and ensure that public funds are protected.”
The Auditor-General’s report highlighted weaknesses in SASSA’s eligibility screening processes, including inadequate verification of income, insufficient checks on the status of beneficiaries, and delays in removing deceased individuals from the payment system. These vulnerabilities have allowed ineligible individuals to continue receiving grants, draining resources that should be directed to those who qualify.
Masango has called on SASSA to provide a detailed action plan outlining how it intends to address the audit findings, including measures to recover improperly paid funds and to prevent future occurrences. She has also urged the Department of Social Development to hold officials accountable for the failures identified in the report.
SASSA has acknowledged the findings and committed to implementing corrective measures, including enhanced data integration with other government departments, improved verification protocols, and the use of technology to detect and prevent fraud. The agency has emphasised that the vast majority of grants are paid correctly and that it is working to close the gaps identified by the Auditor-General.
For the millions of South Africans who rely on social grants, the R211 million in irregular payments is a stark reminder of the importance of robust oversight and accountability. As Parliament prepares to scrutinise the audit findings further, the pressure is on SASSA to demonstrate that it can be trusted to manage the social safety net with the integrity and efficiency that beneficiaries deserve.
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