SASSA CEO to give update on efforts to improve grant payment system

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) CEO Themba Matlou is expected to give an update on the agency's efforts to improve the social grant payment system.
 
SASSA has faced ongoing problems, affecting millions of vulnerable beneficiaries.
 
These include system failures, cyber-attacks, a chaotic card-swapping process and delays in verification.
 
Several grant recipients said SASSA’s reviews have made it difficult to access their money, with the biometric verification systems leaving many locked out of their grants.
 
Human rights organisation Black Sash said it’s hoping for clear answers from the CEO as pressure mounts on SASSA to fix its system.
 
"Social assistance is a constitutional imperative in our country and social assistance is a vital safety net for our society's most vulnerable members, who lack means to support themselves,” said Black Sash's Rachel Bukasa.
 
Thursday’s update is expected to outline what SASSA is doing to stabilise payments and restore trust in a system that millions depend on to survive.