Upcoming SASSA protests: Agency facing widespread backlash

The agency has addressed threats of widespread SASSA protests circulating on social media. In a release this week, agency CEO Temba Matlou acknowledged that these were being propagated by a prominent social media channel on TikTok, although he did not name the social media personality outright.

As a retort to threats of SASSA protests, the agency says it, “respects the views of anyone displaying dissatisfaction, and their constitutional rights to peaceful protest.” Likewise, Matlou says he welcomes the opportunity to engage with individuals and interest groups openly. “SASSA believes constructive and robust engagement provides the best platform to demonstrate its policy framework,” he says.

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PLANNED SASSA PROTESTS

As The South African has recently reported, pensioners in particular, are fed up with the service they’re receiving from the agency. After months of engagement and zero answers from the South African Social Security Agency, they want to be heard. For example, one SASSA Old-Age pensioner has proposed some excellent solutions to the issues facing beneficiaries. These include doubling the grant amount and/or reducing the payment cycle to a fortnightly one. However, try as she may, there is no budging the agency’s draconian ways.

This begs the question, with no permanent minister in place at the Department of Social Development (DSD) currently, is SASSA truly able to engage with constituents as it claims? “We are willing to listen and consider measured advice from all stakeholders. But only provided it is intended to improve service delivery, protect the public purse, and advance the interests of beneficiaries,” Matlou says.

SASSA WILLING TO ENGAGE

Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendriks addresses protesters outside back in 2025. Image: File

And that right there is the issue fueling SASSA protests: “Protecting the public purse.” Because as we’ve reported recently, the agency’s increasingly aggressive tactics has seen hundreds of thousands of grant profiles be overturned in a bid to save money. Meanwhile, the agency underspent by R4.8 billion in the last financial year.

That’s money set aside by the National Treasury purely for social welfare, and yet the government clings onto it. Meanwhile, old-age pensioners have to make every last cent stretch to not even make it to the end of the month. That government underspend, shared across all four-million state pensioners could amount to an extra R100 per month. Pushing stipends to R2 500 (60 to 74) and R2 520 (over 75s), respectively.

But what do you think? Will you be joining the SASSA protests? Do you have any information to share? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below …

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