Boipelo Mere
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Northern Cape acknowledges the inconvenience experienced by beneficiaries due to system challenges encountered at some local offices and sincerely apologises for the disruption caused.
This comes after SASSA offices started observing a significant increase in the number of beneficiaries visiting local offices across the Province in a bid to complete their verification process and e-Life Certification.
The agencies’ payment process was clouded by chaos since the beginning of 2026, resulting in delays or suspension of payments.
The beneficiaries reportedly received SMS notifications to update their personal information, income, marital status, and contact details to safeguard their grants.
However, the notices were ignored or delayed, which resulted in the stipulated urgency.
Panic stricken beneficiaries took to social media, calling for answers and accusing SASSA of failure to prepare for the influx.
Some revealed that they started queuing as early as 6am, only to find more recipients waiting.
Most complained that the long queues resulted in them being turned away, and having to frequent the office for days.
Some of the offices even tried implementing a pre-registration process to give first preference to people who were turned away, which also failed to minimise the wait.
There was no guarantee as to how many people would be assisted in a day.
Provincial SASSA spokesperson, Mamazane Shabangu, said the surge is largely attributed to beneficiaries who did not receive their April grant payments due to non-compliance with the social grant review process and the life certification requirements.
She explained that all social grant beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of income and material personal information at the time of application, and to report any changes in their circumstances as they occur.
“This legislative requirement is fundamental to ensuring that social assistance reaches those who are rightfully eligible in terms of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Section 14(5)),” said Shabangu.
“Beneficiaries who do not comply with review and life certification requirements risk the suspension of their grants, which may ultimately lead to the lapsing of the benefit if non-compliance persists,” Shabangu warned.
The spokesperson encouraged beneficiaries to utilise the self-service link provided in the SMS to avoid unnecessary travel and long queues at local offices.
One of the beneficiaries complained that he had been frequenting the Corles Road SASSA office for weeks to complete his old-age pension.
He said the offices closed twice while he was inside, but the staff said there was nothing they could do.
“This was bound to happen; why did they not prepare instead of blaming it on the system?” said the beneficiary.
Another beneficiary, a foster parent to four children, expressed frustration at the Tlhokomelo offices, “I could not risk keeping the children out of school to queue all day with no guarantee that we will be assisted. I always told the kids to be on standby, that I would tell them to rush to Tlhokomelo for their fingerprints if I made it to the counter,” she said.
The mother of four admitted that she had delayed submitting the notification in January as a result of an additional income from a temporary job that she landed.
The Regional Executive Manager for SASSA in the Northern Cape, Karabelo Mojanaga, said they remain committed to restoring dignity, improving service delivery, and building a responsive and accountable system that works for the recipients.
“The integrity of the social grant system is a collective responsibility. We appeal to all beneficiaries to comply with review processes and to act with honesty and transparency when engaging with the Agency to protect the sustainability of the system and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most,” she said.
SASSA further calls on all South Africans to play an active role in protecting the integrity of the social assistance system by reporting any suspected fraudulent activities.
Reports can be made anonymously through the SASSA Call Centre on 0800 60 10 11 or via email at Grantsenquiries@sassa.gov.za.
For more information on e-Life Certification and how to access the self-service portal, please visit the SASSA Services Portal or contact your nearest SASSA Office.
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