Social Development Minister Dina Pule has announced the recruitment of more than 1 000 contract workers across South Africa to help reduce long queues at South African Social Security Agency offices and speed up the processing of grant applications.
The minister made the announcement on Tuesday while addressing media about government’s plan to review more than 350 000 social grants during the 2026/27 financial year as part of efforts to combat fraud and protect the integrity of the system.
“In the few days in office I received complaints regarding our people standing in long queues in most of our offices and had to step in urgently to understand the course and seek immediate intervention to bring back dignity and respect,” Pule said.
The contract workers will provide frontline support, process applications and grant reviews, and help reduce waiting times at SASSA offices. Operating hours at offices will also be extended, while home visits will continue for beneficiaries over the age of 75 and those who are frail.
Digital platforms to ease pressure
Pule said SASSA is modernising its services by expanding digital channels, including enhanced online platforms, WhatsApp and a mobile application, to reduce the need for beneficiaries to visit offices in person.
“This intervention is particularly important for older persons, persons with disabilities and beneficiaries living in remote areas who may struggle to travel to a SASSA office. We call upon clients to make use of digital platforms to avoid long queues at different offices,” she said.
Government is also expanding the use of e-Life Certification, which enables beneficiaries to verify their continued eligibility through secure digital processes.
Cracking down on fraud
The minister revealed that more than 350 000 grants will be reviewed during 2026/27, with the government projecting to save about R1,5 billion for the fiscus which can be redirected to fund other government priorities.
In the 2025/26 financial year, the agency flagged over 420 000 grants for review, completed more than 240 000 reviews and about 160 000 failed to review.
Pule said SASSA has strengthened its biometric verification programme, which interfaces with the Department of Home Affairs’ systems in real time, to prevent identity theft, duplicate claims and other forms of fraud.
“Our biometric verification programme has significantly strengthened identity authentication for new applications and grant reviews especially since it also interfaces with systems of the Department of Home Affairs on real-time basis. This technology helped prevent identity theft, duplicate claims and other forms of fraud that undermine public confidence in the system,” the minister said.
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Regular reviews required by law
Pule explained that SASSA is legally required, in terms of the Social Assistance Act, to regularly review social grants to confirm beneficiaries’ continued eligibility, while beneficiaries are obliged to report any material changes in their financial or marital circumstances.
“Simply put, social grant reviews help ensure that the right grant is paid to the right person, at the right time,” the minister said.
She sought to reassure the public that social grants remain a cornerstone of government’s efforts to reduce poverty and support vulnerable households. South Africa’s social assistance programme has expanded significantly over the past two decades, growing from 2,7 million beneficiaries in 1994 to around 19 million people receiving social grants today.
Pule said she will visit SASSA offices across the country in the coming days to monitor the implementation of the interventions and engage with communities on improving service delivery.
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