Charles Esther
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced that from 1 September 2025, all beneficiaries will undergo mandatory biometric enrolment at its offices nationwide.
Aim of Biometric Enrolment
According to SASSA, the initiative will revolutionise social grant administration by enhancing verification and preventing fraudulent activities in the system.
Labour Disputes Resolved
The agency said the move follows successful engagements with organised labour over various issues that had previously delayed implementation.
SASSA CEO Themba Matlou expressed relief at the conclusion of these talks, confirming that the process will now proceed smoothly.
Why Biometric Verification Matters
Initially planned for the start of the 2025/2026 financial year, the biometric enrolment had been delayed but is now ready for execution.
SASSA said the measure is strategic in ensuring that every beneficiary is verifiably authentic, guarding the system against manipulation, forged documents, and fraudulent claims.
Expected Benefits of the System
The biometric enrolment system is designed to:
- Prevent fraudulent applications and duplicate payments
- Verify beneficiary authenticity and proof of life
- Minimise inclusion errors
- Streamline documentation and audit processes
- Improve public trust in the grant system
Implementation and Review
Applications submitted without biometric data will be flagged and placed under review, with clients notified to update their records.
This ensures that every grant recipient can be verified at the time of application.
Training and Infrastructure
SASSA confirmed that all necessary infrastructure and tools have been deployed across its offices.
Frontline staff were trained throughout August to ensure readiness for effective implementation.
CEO’s Warning on Fraud
Matlou emphasized SASSA’s commitment to paying the right grant to the right beneficiary.
He warned that any officials caught colluding with fraudsters would face immediate action.
