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From September, Sassa Grants Go Biometric to Tackle Fraud
A new chapter for social grants
From September, walking into any South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) office will mean more than filling in forms and showing an ID. For the first time, every grant applicant will have to provide their fingerprint or facial recognition data.
Sassa confirmed that Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment becomes mandatory on 1 September 2025. The shift, described as a “new era” by spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi, is designed to lock fraudsters out of the grant system and restore public confidence.
Why Sassa is going biometric
Fraudulent claims have long haunted South Africa’s social grant system. From forged identity documents to duplicate payments, the cracks in verification have often left the most vulnerable citizens short-changed.
Letsatsi explained that biometric enrolment ensures every beneficiary is verifiably real and alive at the time of application. This means:
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A sharp decline in fraudulent applications
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Reliable proof of life and beneficiary authenticity
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Fewer inclusion errors and duplicate payouts
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Stronger record-keeping and audits
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Improved trust in Sassa among the public
For recipients, it also means simpler documentation and a smoother enrolment process.
Delayed, but ready to launch
Sassa CEO Themba Matlou admitted the roll-out was originally meant to start earlier in the year, at the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial cycle. Delays with labour consultations and internal planning held it back.
After months of negotiations with organised labour, those stumbling blocks have now been cleared. By August, staff had been fully trained, and the required tools and digital infrastructure were installed in every Sassa office across the country. “It is all systems go,” Matlou said, as the agency prepared for the launch.
What it means for applicants
From 1 September 2025, every new grant application will include biometric enrolment. Those who apply without submitting fingerprints or facial recognition data will be flagged, and their application will be placed under review until biometrics are captured.
The process forms part of Sassa’s electronic Know Your Client (eKYC) system, which integrates identity checks into a more secure digital platform.
Looking ahead
The move comes at a critical time. Sassa distributes grants to millions of South Africans each month, from old-age pensions to child support grants. With billions of rands at stake, even small leaks in the system carry heavy costs for the state and vulnerable households alike.
The biometric system is not just a technological upgrade. It is a symbolic step toward tightening accountability, reinforcing integrity, and ensuring that social grants reach the people they are meant to support.
Also read: Armed Robbers Strike Mkhuhlu Church for the Second Time This Month
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: SASSA Status Check
