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Minister Sisisi Tolashe investigates SASSA disability grant misuse during tense outreach meeting in Khayelitsha

Sisisi Tolashe
Sisisi Tolashe

In a country where millions rely on government support to survive, the SASSA Disability Grant only goes to a relatively small number of people—fewer than a million, to be exact.

That’s in sharp contrast to the 13 million receiving Child Support Grants and the 4 million getting Older Person benefits.

But even with smaller numbers, the Disability Grant programme is now coming under serious scrutiny—and Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe says change is on the way.


Concerns About Who’s Getting the Grant

Speaking at a recent community meeting in Khayelitsha, Minister Tolashe revealed that her department is actively investigating cases where people may be receiving the Disability Grant when they shouldn’t be.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must pass not only a financial means test, but also present a medical report signed off by a state-approved doctor. And this is where the system appears to be failing.

Some individuals, according to reports, are slipping through without proper medical checks.


More Doctors, Stricter Rules

To clean things up, the minister said the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is now hiring new doctors on three-year contracts.

These recruits will be tasked with ensuring medical assessments are done by the book—no cutting corners.

The idea is to make sure those who genuinely qualify aren’t left out while stopping those who don’t meet the criteria from abusing the system.


SASSA Under Pressure Over New Verification Methods

This year, SASSA has already been criticised for tightening up how it checks applicants’ income and identity. Some say the new rules are too harsh.

But the department defends its approach, saying it’s not skipping the normal three-month review process—it’s just trying to protect public funds.

In other words, they want to stop fraud before it happens, especially in a system that already faces massive demand.


Heated Community Meeting in Khayelitsha

The minister shared these updates during an outreach programme in Khayelitsha, where tensions were running high.

The meeting started late, and hundreds of residents were already frustrated.

They didn’t hold back. People spoke directly to the minister about their frustrations—not just about the Disability Grant, but about bigger problems in the community.


What Residents Are Really Struggling With

At the meeting, community members raised a host of serious issues:

  • Not enough clinics or poor service at existing health facilities

  • Elder abuse and extortion of vulnerable people collecting grants

  • A lack of youth programmes or educational initiatives

  • The R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant being too little to survive on

  • Not enough SASSA offices or staff in underserved areas like Khayelitsha

Many felt left behind—and they made that clear.


Free Handout or Justified Complaint?

While some may be quick to dismiss these grievances as people wanting a “free ride,” others see them as a legitimate cry for help in communities that feel ignored.

The reality is, the social grant system is a lifeline for millions in South Africa.

But like any large system, it needs constant checks, fair access, and accountability—on both sides.