US EditionSassa Suspends 70,000 Grants Amid Nationwide Review, Saving R44 Million a Month
SASSA's ongoing review has flagged nearly 495,000 recipients and saved the government about R44 million monthly by suspending 70,000 grants for non-compliance.
- On Thursday, 5 February 2026, the South African Social Security Agency suspended about 70,000 grants after reviewing about 240,000 during a nationwide eligibility review in Cape Town.
- To protect the social assistance budget, the agency has stepped up reviews to tighten compliance under stricter National Treasury conditions, saving about R44 million monthly, Matlou said.
- Using data-matching and income checks, SASSA flagged about 495 000 recipients for review and strengthened partnerships with credit bureaus, banks, South African Revenue Service, National Student Financial Aid Scheme, and added biometric enrolment and self-service measures.
- Affected beneficiaries are given one month to complete a review after multiple notices, with grants reinstated if beneficiaries come forward within the legislated period, and SASSA often extends timeframes for those unable to visit local SASSA offices.
- Looking ahead to the Budget Speech, SASSA plans 420 000 reviews for the 2025/2026 financial year and targets roughly 500 000 beneficiaries by the third quarter, with National Treasury monitoring.
11 Articles
11 Articles
SASSA grant reviews: Half-a-million beneficiaries in crosshairs
2026 SASSA grant reviews are getting seriously high tech. Addressing the media this week in Cape Town, SASSA CEO Themba Matlou highlighted agency’s newest efforts to trim the fat and save money ahead of this month’s Budget Speech. WIN R2 000 by taking our SASSA grant survey HERE. As such, the agency has identified 495 296 suspect beneficiaries for SASSA grant reviews. And it is confident their social assistance will be overturned. In turn, this …
Review of Sassa grants bite as 70 000 payments are suspended
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has suspended about 70 000 social grants so far as it undergoes a review process. This was after beneficiaries failed to comply with review and life-certification requirements. It is part of a nationwide effort to tighten controls and protect the integrity of the social assistance system. Providing an update in Cape Town on Thursday, 5 February 2026, Sassa CEO Themba Matlou said the suspensions fo…
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