Civil society organisation, Black Sash, has accused the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) of human rights violations following the implementation of a review process on grant recipients.
The agency’s review process, which was introduced in April, is meant to verify the eligibility of grant recipients and combat fraud.
The organisation says, despite claims from SASSA’s CEO, Themba Matlou, that no grants have been suspended, they’ve received complaints from beneficiaries across the country that have been cut off without a clear explanation or notification.
Black Sash Western Cape regional Manager, Thandi? Henkeman explains, “We do not oppose fair and lawful grant reviews. We do understand that SASSA has a legal obligation to ensure the integrity of the social assistance system, and also, in terms of the Social Assistance Act, conduct reviews. However, a review process that results in confusion and exclusion, and hunger without due process, is not a review. And the administrative obligation and the fair procedure obligation from SASSA have not been met, and this has resulted in chaos on the ground.”
[ON AIR] A serious dispute has erupted between civil society organisation @black_sash and @OfficialSASSA over what Black Sash calls an “unfair” and “opaque” review process that could see over 200,000 social grant recipients lose access to vital support. Thandi Henkeman: Black… pic.twitter.com/rshpqt6zFh
— SAfmRadio 📻 (@SAfmRadio) July 16, 2025
