The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is set to implement a mandatory Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment system across all its national offices from September 1, 2025. This major overhaul aims to fortify the social grant system against widespread fraud by requiring new applicants and certain existing beneficiaries to verify their identity using fingerprints or facial recognition.
The move, which follows extensive consultations with labour unions, is designed to create a “tight and credible grant system,” according to SASSA CEO Themba Matlou. “Our plans were to commence with the biometric enrolment at the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year; however, we hit a snag, but we have ironed out the issues that delayed our plans, and it is all systems go for the implementation,” Matlou stated.
The introduction of biometrics is seen as a critical step in ensuring the integrity of a system that supports approximately 28 million South Africans, or about 45% of the population.
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How the new system will affect grant recipients
The primary impact of the new system will be on individuals applying for social grants for the first time, those updating their personal details, or existing beneficiaries who have been flagged for review. From September 1, any new application will require biometric data to be captured through an electronic Know Your Client (eKYC) process.
SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi clarified that the rollout does not require all current grant recipients to rush to SASSA offices. “This does not affect people who are already in the system,” Letsatsi explained in an interview. He stressed that beneficiaries should not go to a SASSA office unless they have been specifically contacted. “If you don’t have a letter or you don’t have an SMS, don’t come to a Sassa office and say, ‘I’m coming to do biometrics.’ or ‘I’m coming to the Sassa office to be verified’. We will communicate with you to present yourself to a Sassa office.”
Letsatsi noted that about 200 000 beneficiaries whose grants have been flagged will be contacted to come in for verification. For all others, the requirement will only apply during specific interactions, such as reviews or when changing personal information. Any application submitted without the required biometric data will automatically enter a review cycle, and the applicant will be notified to complete the process. This new system of biometrics is intended to streamline verification.
The agency has assured the public that the necessary infrastructure and tools are in place at all its offices, and staff have been trained throughout August to ensure a smooth implementation. The system will integrate directly with the Department of Home Affairs’ database, allowing for real-time authentication.
“If you come to a Sassa office with an ID and say, ‘I’m Paseka Letsatsi’, we would have to verify that indeed this person is you,” Letsatsi said, highlighting the system’s ability to detect forged identity documents, a common tool used in grant fraud.
Image: via Business.com
