· Sassa will roll out a nationwide biometric system for grant applications from 1 September to reduce fraud and strengthen verification.
· New applicants and beneficiaries changing details will have to provide fingerprints or facial recognition data for approval.
The South African Social Security Agency will launch a biometric system for all new grant applications from 1 September.
The system will also apply to beneficiaries under review or those who want to change their personal details. The aim is to stop fraud and improve the way grants are managed.
Chief executive Themba Matlou said the Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment system is a step towards a tighter and more credible social grant system.
“Our plans were to start at the beginning of the 2025/26 financial year, but we hit a snag. We have ironed out the issues and it is all systems go,” said Matlou.
He said the system will make it easier to confirm identities, detect fraud and clean up duplicate or fake applications. It will also improve public trust in the Social Assistance Programme.
The government says about 28 million people receive social grants in 2025. Matlou said biometrics will reduce errors, improve audits, and ensure beneficiaries are alive at the time of application.
Applications will now require fingerprints or facial recognition through electronic Know Your Client checks. Any applications without biometric data will be flagged and applicants will be called back to capture their details.
Matlou said Sassa has already set up the infrastructure and spent August training staff to prepare for the launch.
He warned that action will be taken against any officials who try to defraud the system.
Pictured above: Sassa logo
Image source: Supplied
