By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Sourced
Seen Here: SASSA Gauteng raises urgent concerns over alleged exploitation of grant beneficiaries, warning against misleading practices and unauthorised deductions from social grants while urging vigilance and reporting of suspected fraud. Photo Credit: Sourced
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Gauteng has raised serious concerns following allegations that vulnerable grant beneficiaries are being misled into signing documents that result in unauthorised deductions from their social grant payments.
The warning comes amid growing public attention, including a circulating TikTok video in which an elderly Gauteng resident claims she was deceived into completing paperwork that led to unexpected deductions linked to insurance or funeral policies.
SASSA has described the allegations as deeply troubling, noting that such practices not only exploit vulnerable individuals but also erode trust in the country’s social assistance system. The Agency was unequivocal in distancing itself from any such arrangements, reiterating that it does not partner with insurance or funeral service providers to enrol beneficiaries into financial products without their full and informed consent.
“We view these allegations in a serious light,” the Agency stated, highlighting the potential systemic abuse of beneficiaries who rely on grants as a primary source of income.
The Gauteng regional office has reportedly seen an increase in enquiries from beneficiaries questioning unexplained deductions on their grants. In many instances, these deductions are linked to insurance or funeral service providers—raising concerns about transparency and consent.
Under Regulation 29 of the Social Assistance Act, only one deduction—capped at 10% of a beneficiary’s grant—is permitted, and solely for a funeral policy issued by a registered insurer. Crucially, this deduction must be based on explicit and informed consent from the beneficiary.
SASSA further clarified that no deductions are allowed on child-related grants, including the Child Support Grant, Foster Child Grant, Temporary Disability Grant, and Care Dependency Grant—making any such deductions unlawful.
Beneficiaries who suspect foul play are encouraged to act swiftly. SASSA has urged affected individuals to report suspicious deductions at their nearest SASSA office for investigation. Alternatively, disputes can be lodged via SMS by sending their ID number and the service provider’s name to 34548. Beneficiaries are also advised to contact the implicated companies directly to cancel any unauthorised policies.
As part of its response, SASSA Gauteng is intensifying awareness campaigns and strengthening stakeholder engagements to educate beneficiaries about their rights and safeguard them against fraudulent schemes.
The Agency has also issued a cautionary reminder: beneficiaries should remain vigilant when approached to sign documents and must always seek clarity before agreeing to any terms—especially those linked to their social grants.
Importantly, SASSA emphasised that it operates strictly from recognised offices and does not send officials door-to-door, a tactic often exploited by scammers to gain trust.
With investigations ongoing and public awareness campaigns ramping up, SASSA’s message is clear: the protection of beneficiaries remains a top priority, and any attempts to exploit the system will be met with decisive action.
