SASSA's biometric enrolment: Black Sash voices readiness concerns

While welcoming efforts to curb fraud in the social grant system, Black Sash raised concerns about the SA Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) readiness to roll out mandatory biometric enrolment, which came into effect on Monday.

“Black Sash welcomes any medium that would help reduce fraud and ensure the integrity of the social grant payment system. However, we are concerned as to whether SASSA has the necessary infrastructure and capacity to take on this mammoth task,” said Black Sash national advocacy manager, Evashnee Naidu.

She warned that the measures could burden beneficiaries if not properly planned.

“The announcement that this could also impact beneficiaries who have already been approved but have not completed biometric verification is another cause for concern, as we have witnessed the challenges SASSA is currently experiencing with the ongoing reviews that they are conducting. These measures, if not implemented with a proper plan, will place a burden on social grant beneficiaries and force them to bear the cost of this.”

Naidu highlighted access as the “greatest concern” for grant recipients.

She urged the agency to ensure that its systems are fully tested before implementation.

SASSA, in a statement issued last month, said the new system was designed to “revolutionise the administration of social grants” by strengthening its risk controls and preventing fraudulent activities.

Chief executive officer, Themba Matlou, said: “Our plans were to commence with biometric enrolment at the beginning of the 2025/26 financial year; however, we hit a snag, but we have ironed out the issues that delayed our plans, and it is all systems go for the implementation.”

The agency said grant applications will include fingerprint enrolment or facial recognition through electronic Know Your Client (eKYC).

Applications without biometric data will be placed into a review cycle, with applicants notified to complete biometric capture.

SASSA outlined benefits of the rollout, including a significant reduction in fraudulent applications and duplicate payments, reliable verification of beneficiary authenticity, enhanced audit outcomes, and improved public trust in the social assistance programme.

The agency said staff had been trained throughout August and the necessary infrastructure set up in all its offices to ensure readiness for the launch.

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