SASSA's beneficiary biometric enrollment: Key updates and progress
SASSA discuss the successful rollout of the Beneficiary Biometric Enrollment initiative.
Image: file
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has provided an update on its Beneficiary Biometric Enrollment (BBE) initiative, which was rolled out in early September 2025.
The program aims to enhance the integrity of the country’s social grants system by utilising biometric data to verify beneficiaries' identities and prevent fraudulent claims.
On September 17, Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe and SASSA CEO Themba Matlou briefed the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, detailing the progress and challenges of the BBE since its launch.
“SASSA introduced a massive rollout of the Beneficiary Biometric Enrollment (BBE) in all its local offices across the country in its concerted efforts to enhance the integrity in the social grants system, whilst detecting and curbing all fraudulent elements,” said SASSA.
Matlou revealed that, since the program's introduction just over two weeks ago, over 42,000 clients have already enrolled in 432 SASSA offices nationwide. This includes new applicants, beneficiaries undergoing reviews, and individuals who have updated their personal details.
Despite the success of the rollout, Matlou acknowledged the initial challenges in implementing the system.
"The challenges will always come when you implement a new system, but we are on top of our game and we are doing proactive monitoring and analysis to ensure the optimal implementation that will stand the test of time. As we introduce these new systems, we do so with our clients in mind so that we do not inconvenience them in any way,” said Matlou during the briefing.
The BBE system is designed to address fraudulent applications and duplicate payments, verify beneficiary authenticity, and reduce inclusion errors. It also promises to streamline documentation processes, enhance audit outcomes, and improve record integrity.
"Biometric enrolment is a strategic move to ensure every grant recipient is verifiably authentic and that SASSA’s systems are resilient against manipulation and error, especially in cases involving forged green Identity Documents that frontline staff cannot reliably detect,” SASSA emphasised.
In addition to these benefits, SASSA has committed to improving public trust in the Social Assistance Programme through better transparency and security.
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