Elderly people suffering at hands of SASSA inefficiencies

Frail and elderly beneficiaries wait in harsh conditions as SASSA withholds grants from over 200 000 amid allegations of undisclosed income.

Hundreds of people, many of them frail and elderly, have been standing in queues in cold, wet conditions to prove they are entitled to receive the SASSA grants.

EWN reporting recently how frustrated grant recipients have once again been queuing outside SASSA offices as the grant recipient review process is still underway.

SASSA held back the grants of some 210,000 recipients who are suspected of having undisclosed additional incomes.

SASSA has previously come under fire for its inefficiencies and failures.

Issues include chronic staff shortages, technical issues with SASSA's online systems and inadequate infrastructure, including a lack of ablution facilities and shelter.

In the news: SASSA urges 210k grant recipients who earn above specific thresholds to 'come forward' and 'do the right thing'

"You would think that [providing] seats would be a bare minimum...but I don't think seats is the solution, there needs to be a more effective system."
- Rowen Ravera-Bauer, Head of Fundraising - Ikamva Labantu

Ravera-Bauer proposes a system where recipients visit SASSA offices on designated days based on the first letter of their surnames.

Although she admits this doesn't solve the challenge of beneficiaries reaching the offices.

"My suspicion is that there needs to be some technological solution."
- Rowen Ravera-Bauer, Head of Fundraising - Ikamva Labantu

She suggests a system whereby recipients receive a pin on their cellphone:

"Which allows the person to withdraw it on their own time from an ATM."
- Rowen Ravera-Bauer, Head of Fundraising - Ikamva Labantu

"We're not thinking in innovative proactive ways...and our elders are suffering."
- Rowen Ravera-Bauer, Head of Fundraising - Ikamva Labantu

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Updated: July 2025
 
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