SASSA To Introduce Biometric System to Beneficiaries, South Africans Debate

• The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is introducing mandatory biometrics for social grant beneficiaries
• The rollout of the biometric system is expected to begin in September, and grant beneficiaries will be compulsory
• South Africans held different views, as some believed that it would curb fraud, and others had reservations

Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues, including health, corruption, education, unemployment, labour, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa, during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

JOHANNESBURG — The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will begin rolling out its mandatory biometric system for SASSA grant beneficiaries from September 2025.

The beneficiary biometric enrolment system will help detect and halt fraudulent activities in the grant system. SASSA said that the biometric system was supposed to be rolled out early this year. However, issues with organised labour delayed the process. However, those issues have been ironed out.

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A look at SASSA in 2025

The Department of Social Development rejected a petition made for the old age grant to be increased to R5000. Western Cape resident Riyad Isaac briefed the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on 7 May 2025. He petitioned that the current amount is not enough for pensioners to survive on, as they currently earn R2,310.

SASSA payments for KwaZulu-Natal residents for June were delayed due to noncompliance. The agency found that 210,000 grant recipients in the province breached the Social Assistance Act by not disclosing all their sources of income.

A suspected loan shark was killed near his home during a robbery in Duduza, Ekurhuleni, in June. Several SASA cards were allegedly found in his possession, believed to have been held as collateral from beneficiaries whom he borrowed money.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commented on SASSA's implementation of a biometric system.

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Thandile Jojozi said:

"Good. Even in clinics, we must have this system."

Noxolo Sabela asked:

"How will it help when they already have bank cards?"

Marion Parker said:

"We have been verified by SASSA and the bank. What is this now?"

Ezra October said:

"The biometrics system must be done within the provinces; otherwise, the Social Development National System will crash daily due to capacity issues. Government internet systems are outdated and cannot handle fast-track cybersecurity systems and broadband systems."

Dhiresh Lalla asked:

"Who is getting the tender for it? Will it actually work?"

Anto Muhang said:

"Another ANC comrades tender. What happens when the system is offline and can't read your fingerprints?"

Almost half of the population relies on grants

In a related article, Briefly News reported that over 40% of South Africans receive a social grant according to Statistics South Africa. StatsSA released a survey on 27 May 2025.

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According to the General Household Survey, which focused on a variety of subjects including education, health, access to services, and quality of life, 24.5 million South Africans rely on social grants to survive. The number of SASSA dependents increased after the introduction of the Social Relief of Distress Grant.

Source: Briefly News