Thousands of social grant recipients in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and across South Africa face the potential suspension of their South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) payments due to discrepancies in declared income. SASSA has initiated a verification process, identifying approximately 210,000 beneficiaries nationally who appear to have undisclosed sources of income. This has led to delayed payments and a requirement for affected individuals to present themselves at SASSA offices for a grant review, sparking concern and confusion amongst beneficiaries.
The verification process, mandated by Chapter 5 of the Social Assistance Act, aims to ensure that grant recipients meet eligibility requirements. SASSA is empowered to "suspend, increase, or decrease the amount of assistance provided, depending on the outcome of the review," according to SASSA spokesperson in KZN, Sandy Godlwana. In KZN alone, 93,142 reviews are scheduled for the 2025/26 financial year to ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
SASSA’s spokesperson, Andile Tshona, explained that arrangements have been made for additional pay dates for individuals placed under review. “As we begin the payment cycle for July, SASSA would like to advise that the review of social grants for targeted beneficiaries will continue. If you are a SASSA beneficiary and you did not receive your payment this month or the previous months, we appeal to you to visit your nearest SASSA local office to update your personal details. The ongoing review of social grants is to ensure that SASSA pays the right social grant to the right person.”
Beneficiaries who fail to comply with the review process risk having their social grants suspended. Godlwana stated that if a grant is suspended, the beneficiary will be informed in writing and has the right to appeal the decision within 90 days to the Independent Appeals Tribunal.
The situation has drawn criticism from civic organisations and political parties, with concerns raised about the impact on vulnerable individuals and the transparency of the verification process. Black Sash, a civic organisation, reports receiving hundreds of complaints regarding the process.
Oliver Meth, communications manager at Black Sash, said their helpline had received hundreds of cases of people not getting paid that it was dealing with. "We are currently monitoring during this grant payment week. Today (Wednesday) we are at Esikhawini, northern KZN. We've since been to local retailers and the local Sassa office where hundreds of beneficiaries are querying the non-payment of their grants. Issues range from duplicate IDs to some flagged as fraudulent recipients, reviews, and more."
Meth highlighted delays and limited communication as key issues in the verification process. He noted that many grant recipients have been flagged due to inconsistencies in their personal data, but the systems to notify beneficiaries—especially in rural areas—are not always reliable or accessible.
He advised that if a grant recipient has been flagged for a discrepancy, they should visit their nearest SASSA office with their valid identity document and any supporting documentation to verify their details. Meth urged SASSA to improve communication by using local radio, community networks, and ward councillors to alert affected individuals, stating, "Many recipients have not been adequately informed and remain unaware of the reason for non-payment or the process to follow."
Black Sash continues to advocate for a fair, transparent, and accessible appeals process that does not penalise people for system errors or lack of access to digital communication. Meth emphasised that "in many cases, these discrepancies are the result of outdated government records, clerical errors, or weaknesses in interdepartmental data-sharing—not wrongdoing by grant beneficiaries."
Meth also pointed out that very little has been done to adequately assist vulnerable groups such as elderly people, those with disabilities, and rural residents who lack access to mobile phones, the internet, or the resources to travel to SASSA offices for verification. Black Sash is calling on SASSA and the Department of Social Development to proactively engage communities through mobile units, community halls, local NGOs, and traditional leaders to ensure that no one is left behind, stating, "There must be a more humane and accessible system in place—especially given the critical nature of these grants in combating poverty."
DA spokesperson on Social Development in KZN, Shontel De Boer, acknowledged that delayed payments are expected during the verification process for those needing to verify their information. "We encourage everyone who is affected to declare their correct information. The Democratic Alliance believes that every citizen who qualifies for a Sassa grant has the right to access that grant and should be able to do so."
Local councillors and parliamentarians have reported being inundated with requests for assistance from pensioners whose grants have been suspended since June due to "other sources of income." They argue that while it is important to prevent abuse of the grant system, pensioners should not be penalised for additional income that helps with their expenses, given the rising cost of living and the relatively low monthly grant of R2,310.
Niel Patchapen, an African Democratic Change councillor in eThekwini, said he had been contacted by several elderly residents who were devastated after their grants were suspended. "These are some of the most vulnerable members of our society; pensioners who rely on their monthly grant for food, medication and basic survival. For many, it’s their only source of income."
Patchapen criticised the government's response as "punitive and devoid of compassion," arguing that suspending grants simply because family members provide assistance or because the elderly person is trying to survive through a small informal business is "completely reckless and heartless." He called for an urgent review of the process, stating, "No grant should be stopped without a proper investigation and direct engagement with the person affected. I call on Sassa and the Department of Social Development to stop this injustice and immediately reinstate grants that were unfairly suspended."
Alicia Kissoon, DA ward 23 councillor, echoed these concerns, stating that the social grant system is a survival mechanism for millions, especially pensioners. She reported receiving numerous complaints from elderly residents in distress after their grants were suspended without proper notice or clear communication from SASSA. Kissoon called for a more compassionate and transparent review mechanism, supported by proper public education, stating, "We cannot have pensioners standing in queues for hours, confused about why their lifeline have been cut-off."
Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, leader of the Minority Front, argued that grants should not be stopped, citing Section 27 of the Bill of Rights, which guarantees the right to access healthcare services, sufficient food and water, and social security. She also pointed out that the current SASSA old age grant of R2,310 falls far short of the World Bank's daily poverty threshold.
Visvin Reddy, an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member of parliament, said that senior citizens deserve to be supported with dignity and that the State pension grant is a critical lifeline for millions of elderly South Africans. He criticised penalising elderly people for small contributions from their children or family members, calling it "unfair and deeply unjust." Reddy also highlighted the issue of fraudulent claims and systemic abuse of the system, stating that resources should be focused on rooting out fraud and ensuring that genuine beneficiaries receive more support.
Les Govender, the deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, said he had received several calls from pensioners whose grants were suspended and that he firmly believed that the current grant amount was insufficient for recipients to lead dignified lives. He stated that he had discussed the review process with senior SASSA officials and assured grant recipients that their grants would not be affected, explaining that SASSA was simply updating their records.
Paseka Letsatsi, spokesperson for SASSA, said that in collaboration with a registered Credit Bureaus, SASSA had identified approximately 210,000 social grant beneficiaries who appeared to be receiving income that was not truthfully disclosed. He emphasised that beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application and to inform SASSA of any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has been approved.
Letsatsi said that as part of this initiative, social grant payments for the affected beneficiaries were delayed in the June 2025 payment cycle and that these individuals were required to present themselves at their nearest SASSA offices for a grant review within 30 days from the notice date. He warned that beneficiaries who failed to comply with this process risked having their grants suspended and that continued non-compliance may lead to the permanent lapsing of their grants.
Those who wish to lodge an appeal with the Independent Appeals Tribunal can reach them at 012 312 7727 or grantappeals@dsd.gov.za. For further information, affected clients are encouraged to contact SASSA's National Toll-Free Number on 0800 60 10 11 on Mondays to Fridays from 07:30 to 16:00.
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