SASSA dismissals, USA News: The South African Social Security Agency has dismissed 65 officials in misconduct cases since April 2025, while CEO Themba Matlou has raised concerns over death threats directed against officials handling active investigations.
Community organizations have welcomed SASSA’s dismissal of the 65 officials but are actively calling for criminal investigations, the recovery of public funds, and stronger safeguards for beneficiaries. The employees were dismissed after being found guilty of serious misconduct by the Anti-Fraud Management Strategy, with disciplinary proceedings dating back to April 2025.
In the most recent incident, four officials were dismissed in Gauteng following a disciplinary process into allegations of fraudulent social grant administration. SASSA received 134 cases involving officials during the period. Of these, 106 had been finalized, while 28 remained pending, according to the agency.
Provincial Breakdown of Dismissals
The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of dismissals among the listed provinces, with 19 officials losing their jobs since April 2025. Mpumalanga and Gauteng each recorded 13 dismissals, while KwaZulu-Natal recorded 11.
Rachael Naidoo, a secretary at the Tongaat Civic Association, welcomed the fraud crackdown at SASSA. While applauding the National Anti-Fraud Management Strategy, she stated that corruption thriving within offices meant to shield the poor represents a betrayal of public trust. Naidoo claimed SASSA had a poor history of combating corruption and urged provincial management to rapidly deploy vetted, ethical staff so that queues do not lengthen.
Naidoo demanded that the Hawks and police criminally prosecute every individual involved to ensure prison time, alongside recoveries of losses sustained through withholding pension fund benefits. Ish Prahladh from the eThekwini Civic Ratepayers also applauded the move, noting that ratepayers have lost significant money.
Calls for Institutional Reform
Rose Cortes of the Westville Ratepayers Association stated that accountability should never be optional in an institution entrusted with vulnerable members of society. Cortes noted that dismissing 65 officials should prompt uncomfortable questions regarding internal controls and how long irregularities continued before action was taken.
Commenting after the dismissals, SASSA spokesperson Dr Paseka Letsatsi explained that the agency adopted a mechanism to recoup defrauded amounts from the pension funds of dismissed staff members. CEO Themba Matlou warned that misconduct will not be tolerated, welcoming the disciplinary outcomes as a clear message that no one is above the law.
Aroona Chetty, Director of Phoenix Child Welfare, noted that the dismissals raise important questions about service delivery, pointing out the impact of administrative failures on foster parents whose grants were stopped and delayed, placing financial pressure on caregivers and affecting vulnerable children.
