The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is set to suspend R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants for beneficiaries suspected of using fraudulent identity documents, a move aimed at curbing identity theft and ensuring payments reach the intended recipients. This announcement comes hot on the heels of a landmark High Court ruling that has thrown several SRD grant regulations into question.
On Thursday, 23 January, the North Gauteng High Court delivered a judgment that declared certain aspects of the SRD grant regulations unconstitutional. These include the definitions of "income" and "financial support," as well as the online-only application process. The ruling impacts over eight million grant recipients.
Sassa spokeswoman Omphemetse Molopyane explained the agency's decision to suspend payments for those with suspected fraudulent IDs. "The agency is implementing this action to ensure we pay social grants to the right people and avoid identity theft," she stated. "The agency is encouraging people to take responsibility to make sure their ID numbers are not utilised for fraudulent activities. Sassa beneficiaries must ensure they don't share their ID numbers with strangers to avoid fraud.”
Molopyane detailed the process for beneficiaries whose grants have been flagged. "When beneficiaries check their status and find out that it states 'referred', it means the Sassa system is suspecting fraudulent activity. Therefore, the beneficiary must immediately contact the agency for attention. Beneficiaries are warned not to keep changing banking details and contact numbers because that delays payment processes." She added that Sassa has a team of trained officials dedicated to handling SRD grant cases and urged anyone suspecting fraudulent activity to contact the agency without hesitation.
Following the suspension, affected beneficiaries will need to re-apply for their grants. Sassa has already informed all grant beneficiaries of these plans. The agency confirmed that the payment dates for February 2025 remain as follows: Older Persons Grant on Tuesday, 4 February; Disability Grants on Wednesday, 5 February; and Children’s Grants on Thursday, 6 February. Approved SRD grant beneficiaries will be processed between 24 and 28 February.
Meanwhile, the High Court ruling has sparked calls for immediate implementation and respect for the court's decision. Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretary of the South African Federal Trade Union (Saftu), issued a strong statement urging the government to act swiftly.
"We call upon the government to respect and implement the court’s ruling without delay," Vavi declared. "All necessary measures must be taken to ensure the uninterrupted and efficient paying out of social grants. We also call upon the State to engage constructively with civil society organisations to address any systemic issues highlighted by this case, ensuring that such challenges do not recur in the future.”
Vavi highlighted the significance of the ruling, achieved through the efforts of the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and the #PayTheGrants campaign. He sees this victory as more than just a win for grant recipients; it's a crucial step towards establishing a Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG).
"This judgment serves as a powerful reminder of the judiciary's role in safeguarding citizens' rights and the importance of active civic engagement in pursuing social justice," Vavi emphasised. "The victory by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and #PayTheGrants is not just a step forward for grant recipients but also a stepping stone toward the introduction of a Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG). The UBIG must be seen as a cornerstone of a comprehensive social security system and a bold anti-poverty programme that guarantees dignity and a basic standard of living for all South Africans. As inequality deepens and poverty persists, the UBIG offers a transformative solution to address structural economic exclusion and uplift the lives of millions.”
The Department of Social Development, through its spokesman Bathembu Futshane, acknowledged the court's judgment and its implications for the SRD grant regulations. "The department is studying the judgment and will respond in due course," Futshane stated. This measured response contrasts with the urgency expressed by Saftu and the implications of the court's decision for millions of South Africans reliant on the SRD grant.
