Sassa to introduce compulsory biometric enrolment for clients not using SA IDs
THE South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced it will be introducing a mandatory biometric enrolment and identity verification process for clients using alternative forms of identification than the 12-digit South African identity number.
Also read: Art club hosts vibrant exhibition in aid of SPCA Amanzimtoti
In a media statement released on April 24, Sassa outlined that the changes aim to enhance the security and accuracy of client identification within its systems.
The changes will roll out on May 5 and all new clients using alternative forms of identification, for example, a foreign-issued passport or identity card or a South African non-citizen identification document, as well as existing clients undergoing reviews or changes to personal information, will be required to undergo the biometric enrolment.
This measure is part of Sassa's ongoing efforts to improve the integrity and efficiency of its systems and how it services clients.
'This initiative, which aligns with Regulation 13(1) of the Social Assistance Act, is a proactive measure aimed at enhancing security, improving the integrity of our systems, and preventing potentially fraudulent activities related to identity misrepresentation,' said Paseka Letsatsi, Sassa spokesperson.
Sassa has reassured that there are a sufficient number of officials in offices to ensure a seamless transition and enrolment process.
For all enquiries on social grants, contact Sassa's toll-free number on 080 060 1011 or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.
For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
42 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Tata's vision shows the power to make a difference lies within the hands of ordinary people
Tata's vision shows the power to make a difference lies within the hands of ordinary people Countless businesses, and organisations came together and dedicated 67 minutes for community upliftment during Mandela Day. Small acts of kindness created a buzz of realising how important it is to give back in the spirit of Ubuntu. Initiatives were seen all over the City of Coal as eMalahleni addressed a multitude of social needs. Food drives saw volunteers preparing and serving food with a warm smile. This was a tapestry of compassion seen where the need is. For members of the St Joseph Mukasa Catholic Church, every day is Mandela Day. This energised group with the most beautiful singing voices reached out to the community on Mandela Day to show some love. They can also be seen dishing out soup and bread to the elderly when they sit in queues waiting for their Sassa grants. Barnard Skhosana, Nhlanhla Hlanze, Siyabonga Mazibuko and Mduduzi Ntombeni from Albany Bread surprised the elderly at Immergroen Old Age Home with warm soup and fresh bread on Mandela Day. 'We 'bake' the world a better place,' said Mduduzi Ntombeni from Albany breads. 'Every day should be Mandela Day. We should not set aside 67 minutes once a year to do something good for someone,' Nhlanhla added. Immergroen Old Age home thanked Albany Bread and The Ridge Casino for the visit and contributions. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: [email protected] At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
The unexpected grief that comes with moving house
Moving house brings more than stress and boxes—it can also trigger surprising emotions like grief, confusion and longing for what was left behind. As a mover, not a shaker, I have had an eye-opening experience over the past few weeks. Moving house is often seen as a milestone – a fresh start, a new beginning, or a step forward in life, I was told, but what happens after the dust settles and the final box is unpacked? The lead-up to a move is often stressful: packing, planning and logistics. All true. But once I was in my new home, a surprising wave of various emotions surfaced – sometimes joy, but also grief, confusion and even regret. This phenomenon is common, I believe, especially if you've left behind familiar streets, friends, or memories. I think it is because our homes often anchor our sense of self. The street we live on, the coffee shop we frequent, even the light through a certain window in the afternoon – these things subtly shape our identity. ALSO READ: Neighbourhood secret agents are always watching After a move, there's a strange in-betweenness: I was still me, but the context has changed. Rebuilding a sense of belonging definitely takes time. I found that I was missing things I didn't even realise mattered. It's not just an emotional experience – moving can throw one's routine into chaos. Where's the nearest pharmacy? The best place to buy groceries? Small frustrations add up, making one feel like a stranger in one's own life. ALSO READ: Why you're attracted to the unexpected If you've moved to a new city or away from your support system, like I did, loneliness can set in once the initial busyness fades. Making new connections takes effort and time. Many people underestimate how isolating the post-move period can be, particularly if you're working from home or don't have an immediate community. Despite the challenges, the aftermath of a move also carries the seed of personal growth, I found. Adapting to a new environment can stretch one in unexpected ways. I discovered how resilient I am, how I manage uncertainty and what really matters to me. ALSO READ: South African life hacks: A mix of genius, nostalgia and outright madness Over time, new routines formed, new friendships blossomed and my new house recently began to feel like a true home. The truth is, the aftermath of moving house is not just about decorating or learning a new address – it's about transition. If you are moving soon, give yourself grace. Take time to sit in the in-between, to feel both the loss of what was and the possibility of what's to come. You may just be amazed at how resilient you are.
eNCA
17 hours ago
- eNCA
Extreme weather misinformation 'putting lives at risk,' study warns
Major social media platforms are enabling and profiting from misinformation around extreme weather events, endangering lives and impeding emergency response efforts, a research group said Tuesday. The report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) -- which analyzed 100 viral posts on each of three leading platforms during recent natural disasters including deadly Texas floods -- highlights how their algorithms amplify conspiracy theorists while sidelining life-saving information. "The influence of high-profile conspiracy theorists during climate disasters is drowning out emergency response efforts," the report said, adding that the trend was "putting lives at risk." Nearly all of the analyzed posts on Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram lacked fact-checks or Community Notes, a crowd-sourced verification system increasingly being adopted as an alternative to professional fact-checkers, the report said. Elon Musk-owned X lacked fact-checks or Community Notes on 99 percent of the posts, while Google-owned YouTube "failed entirely," with zero fact-checks or Community Notes, CCDH said. The report noted that well-known conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's false claims during the LA wildfires amassed more views on X throughout January than the combined reach of major emergency response agencies and news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times. "The rapid spread of climate conspiracies online isn't accidental. It's baked into a business model that profits from outrage and division," said Imran Ahmed, CCDH's chief executive. During the wildfires, online scammers placed social media advertisements impersonating federal emergency aid agencies to steal victims' personal information, Ahmed said, citing local officials. "When distraught people can't distinguish real help from online deception, platforms become complicit in the suffering of innocent people," he said. The tech platforms did not immediately respond to requests for comment. - 'Dangerous' falsehoods - Following natural disasters, misinformation tends to surge across social media -- fueled by accounts from across the political spectrum –- as many platforms scale back content moderation and reduce reliance on human fact-checkers, often accused by conservative advocates of a liberal bias. During Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida last year, social media was flooded with baseless claims that the storm had been engineered by politicians using weather manipulation. Similarly, the LA wildfires were falsely blamed on so-called "government lasers," a conspiracy theory amplified by viral posts. Augustus Doricko, chief executive of cloud seeding company Rainmaker, said he received death threats online after conspiracy theorists blamed him for the devastating floods in Texas. "I can confirm that we have received multiple threats since the flooding event," Doricko told AFP, highlighting the real-life consequences of such falsehoods. The CCDH study found that the worst offenders spreading extreme weather misinformation were verified users with large followings, many of whom were attempting to monetize their posts. Eighty eight percent of misleading extreme weather posts on X came from verified accounts, CCDH said. On YouTube, 73 percent of such posts originated from verified users, while on Meta, the figure was 64 percent. "Climate disinformation costs lives," said Sam Bright of DeSmog, which reports on climate misinformation campaigns. "As extreme weather events become more and more frequent, these falsehoods will only get more dangerous."
