In a bid to fortify the integrity and security of the social grant distribution process, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has implemented a biometric identity verification system.

This initiative serves as a safeguard to reduce the risk of social grant fraud.

The verification process is primarily aimed at selected categories of Covid-19 social relief of distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries:

• those who wish to modify their existing mobile number or banking details initially provided to Sassa – such modifications will be accepted only upon successful completion of biometric verification; and
• clients suspected of identity theft or those who have been victims of such crimes – they may also be required to undergo biometric identification.

This is Sassa’s effort to curb fraud when working with other stakeholders.