Minister Tolashe takes a stand against illegal SASSA grant recipients
Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe has warned that individuals illegally receiving SASSA grants will face legal action, while the new iCROP initiative and improved service delivery aim to ensure only eligible beneficiaries access social support.
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Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe has warned that individuals receiving grants illegally from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will face legal consequences, with some already appearing in court.
During her visit to eMbekweni in the Drakenstein Municipality, Western Cape, Tolashe highlighted the department’s efforts to engage communities through the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (iCROP), a SASSA initiative that allows on-site grant processing.
She said the programme aims to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive grants.
“For the longest time, we had a situation where people were benefiting from our grants illegally, and now we have started a process that is extremely effective in making sure that we clean our system and get rid of those who are not supposed to be in our system,” Tolashe said.
She added that those found abusing the system would be referred to appropriate institutions, including the police, and that matters are being handled through the courts for individuals already charged.
She urged beneficiaries to comply with SASSA processes, emphasising that those who are eligible for grants have no reason to be anxious.
''There shouldn’t be any anxiety about us taking your grant away. We will only do that if you are not eligible, and in such cases, we will process you through the system because you will be owing the state,” Tolashe said.
“People who are beneficiaries of SASSA in all our grants, when you are being called upon to appear in the office of SASSA, please just do that.
''We want to see whether those people are in fact existing and also whether they are eligible to receive our grants,” she said.
Tolashe also addressed challenges that have delayed grant processing, including outdated contact information and the centralisation of SASSA offices.
''Sometimes you have a different cell phone from the one used to apply. This is why sometimes it takes time for people to get to the offices of SASSA. When you are called, please come,” she said.
Tolashe highlighted improvements in service delivery, including a new queue management system designed to handle large numbers of beneficiaries more efficiently.
“Our long queues, which were a problem and a complaint here, are being managed through a new system where people are attended to professionally, like in banks. You know your number and the teller assisting you, so we can trace your history at any given time,” she said.
She acknowledged that the centralisation of offices remains a challenge, noting ongoing discussions with the local municipality to establish additional service points closer to residents.
“We are in discussions with Drakenstein Municipality to provide offices that can assist our people so that they can process their grants closer to where they stay, rather than having to travel in taxis and pay,” she said.
Tolashe also sought to clarify misinformation regarding the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, reassuring residents that it will not be discontinued.
“People are misleading our community into saying the R350 grant is going to stop. If you had listened to the president, no, it’s not going to stop.
''The government is building it to be more sustainable and accessible to anyone 18 or older who is unemployed,” she said.
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