The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has criticised false claims spreading on social media that suggest the government has opened the floodgates for foreign nationals to access the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant.
Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi described the information circulating online as completely false and misleading, warning that these rumours are causing unnecessary confusion among ordinary South Africans who depend on social grants.
“No rules have changed”
Letsatsi was emphatic in his response, stating that Sassa has not touched any policies or regulations related to the SRD grant. “Sassa wishes to categorically state that no policies or regulations have been amended regarding the Covid-19 SRD,” he said, dismissing claims that asylum seekers and special permit holders are suddenly getting new access to taxpayers’ money.
The confusion appears to stem from misunderstandings about who actually has the power to change social assistance policies. According to Letsatsi, only National Treasury and the Department of Social Development can make such decisions, and neither institution has announced any changes during recent budget processes.
“No such amendments were announced by the Minister of Finance during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement or by the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Nokuzola Tolashe, during her Budget Vote Speech,” Letsatsi explained.
Same rules since 2022
The reality is that eligibility for the Covid-19 SRD grant continues to be governed by the same regulations that were published back in 2022. These rules have always allowed temporary assistance for people with insufficient means, whether they are South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees, valid asylum seekers, or holders of specific special permits. The catch is that all applicants must meet strict age, residency and income requirements.
Recent statistics from Sassa show that since 1 January, the agency received 14,135 SRD applications from permanent residents, refugees and special permit holders. Of these applications, 8,368 were approved and 2,690 beneficiaries have been paid. These numbers reflect the existing system working as it always has, not any new policy changes.
Official channels only
Letsatsi stressed that if the government does introduce changes in the future, South Africans will hear about it through proper channels. The Minister of Social Development would make formal announcements and publish amended regulations, not through WhatsApp messages or Facebook posts.
Sassa has urged the public to be more careful about what they share online. “Members of the public need to verify information through official Sassa and government channels before circulation,” he said.
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