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IOL News
5 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
SASSA distances itself from 'Ubuntu Life,' warns public against fraudulent activities
SASSA warns the public about a fraudulent group, Ubuntu Life, illegally using its name and logo. The agency confirms it has no affiliation with this entity. Image: File The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has issued a public warning regarding the unauthorised and illegal use of its name, logo, and brand by an organisation identified as 'Ubuntu Life.' The agency has categorically denied any association with this entity and is taking legal steps to address the misuse. In a statement, SASSA clarified that it 'wishes to unequivocally distance itself from any association with this entity and to refute any claims or suggestions that Ubuntu Life is affiliated, endorsed, or contracted by SASSA in any capacity.' SASSA, a statutory body responsible for administering and paying social grants in South Africa, emphasised that any attempt to misrepresent a connection with the agency constitutes a violation of South African law, including the Trademarks Act and applicable fraud legislation. Chief Executive Officer Themba Matlou has urged the public to remain vigilant and not engage with any individuals or organisations that claim to operate on behalf of SASSA without official verification. 'SASSA does not outsource grant applications or beneficiary services to private companies such as Ubuntu Life or any other company for that matter. ''We appeal to the members of the public, especially our beneficiaries, not to fall prey to these fraudulent acts committed in SASSA's name. Please exercise vigilance and verify the authenticity of such acts with SASSA before partaking in them,' said Matlou. Matlou also reminded South Africans that SASSA services are free and only provided by employed officials. 'SASSA does not charge any fees for social grant services as the services are rendered for free only by employed SASSA officials. All official SASSA communications come via its official platforms and service points.' ''If anyone is approached or misled by Ubuntu Life or similar entities is urged to report the matter to the nearest police station or contact SASSA directly at 0800 60 10 11 or via email at [email protected].'' Motlou said SASSA's legal team has begun formal action against the misuse of its brand and has committed to pursuing all legal avenues to safeguard its services and protect the interests of beneficiaries. SASSA has also released the official social grant payment schedule for August 2025: Old Age Grant: August 5 Disability Grant: August 6 All Other Grants (including Child Grants): August 7 Beneficiaries are reminded to ensure their bank cards and accounts are active ahead of their payment dates to avoid any disruptions. [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Sassa warns grant recipients of ‘Ubuntu Life' misusing name, logo
The agency has urged South Africans to remain vigilant and report any fraudulent activities. Sassa is expected to disburse August social grants to beneficiaries in the first week of August. Picture: The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has issued a stern warning to the public about 'Ubuntu Life', which it says is unlawfully using Sassa's name, logo, and brand to mislead beneficiaries. Sassa has unequivocally distanced itself from any association with this entity and refutes any claims or suggestions that Ubuntu Life is affiliated with, endorsed by, or contracted by the agency in any capacity. Precaution The agency has urged South Africans to remain vigilant and report any fraudulent activities. Sassa CEO, Themba Matlou, has urged the public not to engage with any individuals or organisations that claim to operate on behalf of the agency without official verification. 'Sassa does not outsource grant applications or beneficiary services to private companies such as Ubuntu Life or any other company for that matter. 'We appeal to the members of the public, especially our beneficiaries, not to fall prey to these fraudulent acts committed in Sassa's name. Please exercise vigilance and verify the authenticity of such acts with Sassa before partaking in them,' emphasised Matlou. ALSO READ: Sassa cracks down on beneficiaries flagged for not disclosing income No fees Matlou further reiterated that Sassa does not charge any fees for social grant services, as these services are provided free of charge by employed Sassa officials. 'Sassa's legal team has taken steps to initiate formal action against the unlawful use of its brand and will pursue all legal avenues to protect the integrity of its services and the safety of South African social grant beneficiaries 'All official Sassa communications come via its official platforms and service points. If anyone has been approached or misled by Ubuntu Life or any similar entity, they are urged to report the matter immediately to the nearest South African Police Service or call Sassa on its toll-free number, 0800 60 10 11 or email [email protected],' Matlou said. August grants Meanwhile, Sassa is expected to disburse August social grants to beneficiaries in the first week of August. The agency administers more than 19 million grant payments, including the Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant, War Veterans Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Foster Child Grant, Child Support Grant, Child Support Grant Top-Up, and Grant-in-Aid. Older Persons Grant – Tuesday, 5 August 2025 Disability Grant – Wednesday, 6 August 2025 Children's Grants – Thursday, 7 August 2025 Sassa grant amounts: Old Age (60-74 years) and Disability grants – R2 315; Old Age (75+ years) Grant – R2 335; War Veterans Grant – R2 315; Care Dependency Grant – R2 315; Child Support Grant – R560; Foster Care Grant – R1 250; SRD Grant – R370 ALSO READ: More than 200 000 will experience Sassa grant delays — here's why
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
SASSA warns: ‘Ubuntu Life' misusing name and logo
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has issued a stern warning to the public about an organisation called 'Ubuntu Life,' which it says is unlawfully using SASSA's name, logo, and brand to mislead beneficiaries. SASSA has distanced itself entirely from the company, confirmed it has no affiliation or agreement with it, and urged South Africans to remain vigilant and report any fraudulent activities. 'SASSA wishes to unequivocally distance itself from any association with this entity and to refute any claims or suggestions that Ubuntu Life is affiliated, endorsed, or contracted by SASSA in any capacity.' it furthermore said SASSA is a statutory body responsible for the administration and payment of social grants in South Africa. Any misuse of its identity, name, logo, representations suggesting affiliation, constitutes a serious misrepresentation and potential violation of South African law, including the Trademarks Act and relevant fraud legislation. Chief Executive Officer, Mr Themba Matlou, has urged the public to remain vigilant and not engage with any individuals or organisations that claim to operate on behalf of SASSA without official verification. He said SASSA does not outsource grant applications or beneficiary services to private companies such as Ubuntu Life or any other company for that matter. 'We appeal to the members of the public, especially our beneficiaries, not to fall prey to these fraudulent acts committed in SASSA's name. Please exercise vigilance and verify the authenticity of such acts with SASSA before partaking in them,' Matlou said. He further reiterated that SASSA does not charge any fees for social grant services as the services are rendered for free only by employed SASSA officials. A ll official SASSA communications come via its official platforms and service points. If anyone has been approached or misled by Ubuntu Life or any similar entity, they are urged to report the matter immediately to the nearest South African Police Service or call SASSA on its toll free number, 0800 60 10 11 or email [email protected]. Matlou said SASSA's legal team has taken steps to initiate formal action against the unlawful use of its brand and will pursue all legal avenues to protect the integrity of its services and the safety of South African social grant beneficiaries. Also read: SASSA payment dates for August 2025: What you need to know Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Sassa grants: Here are the August payment dates and amounts
Sassa has released its payment schedule for August 2025, with payments set to begin on 5 August. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will disburse August social grants to beneficiaries in the first week of August The agency administers more than 19 million grant payments, including the Older Persons' Pension Grant, Disability Grant, War Veterans Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Foster Child Grant, Child Support Grant, Child Support Grant Top-Up, and Grant-in-Aid. Sassa grant payment dates: Older Persons Grant – Tuesday, 5 August 2025 Disability Grant – Wednesday, 6 August 2025 Children's Grants – Thursday, 7 August 2025 Sassa grant amounts: Old Age (60-74 years) and Disability grants – R2 315; Old Age (75+ years) Grant – R2 335; War Veterans Grant – R2 315; Care Dependency Grant – R2 315; Child Support Grant – R560; Foster Care Grant – R1 250; SRD Grant – R370 ALSO READ: No social grants have been suspended, says Sassa Sassa fires off grant suspension warning Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, Sassa CEO Themba Matlou said that while no grants have been suspended yet, the agency will not hesitate to lapse grants for beneficiaries who ignore review notices. Matlou explained that Sassa is legally required to provide beneficiaries with three months' notice before suspending their grants. However, those who fail to respond to review notices face the prospect of having their grants lapse permanently. 'We'll have to lapse the grant because it could be that some of them are either potential fraudulent cases, some of them don't deserve to get it,' Matlou said. He further added that the review process is essential for maintaining the integrity of the social assistance system, particularly as the agency works with other institutions to identify beneficiaries who may no longer qualify for grants. The CEO noted that Sassa must provide quarterly reports to the National Treasury on review progress, which has significantly elevated the agency's workload. NOW READ: Under review: Sassa fires off grant suspension warning
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SASSA under fire over grant review process amid complaints from beneficiaries
Civil society group Black Sash has condemned SASSA for "failing" thousands of social grant recipients Image: File Civil society group Black Sash has condemned SASSA for failing thousands of social grant recipients, saying many have had their payments delayed without a clear explanation or proper notice. The watchdog has also called for a pause in the ongoing review process, citing widespread confusion and distress among beneficiaries. "Despite the CEO's claim that no grants have been suspended, we are witnessing a surge in complaints from beneficiaries who have been cut off without a clear explanation or notification. "Our Community Monitoring teams, based across the country and our national Helpline have been overwhelmed with distress calls from elderly persons, people with disabilities and caregivers, many of whom only discovered their grants had been 'flagged' when their money failed to appear" The advocacy group also argued that the situation was further exacerbated by the impact of bank verification checks on Older Persons' grants, which also impacted grant payment delays and added to the fear, confusion, and queues at SASSA local offices. Black Sash's message was in response to SASSA' CEO, Themba Matlou, who, during a press briefing on Monday, defended the agency's review process as necessary for verifying eligibility and combating fraud. "SASSA would like to categorically state that no social grant payments have been suspended or halted. All approved grants remain valid, andpayments continue to be processed. Any beneficiary with an active andvalid grant remains entitled to receive their payment," Matlou said. "This year, we have only introduced and implemented a 4th payment date to our payment schedule, where beneficiaries targeted for a review are paid on the 4th day". Matlou added that this "would ensure that they receive their payment after the necessary review, without prejudicing the general payment cycle for others,". In an interview on 702 on Monday, SASSA's Executive Manager for Grants Administration, Brenton van Vrede, provided further clarity on what constitutes 'additional income' and how beneficiaries are selected for review. He explained that only formal incomes, such as salaries, rental income, or court-ordered maintenance, count towards the means test. 'Maintenance is considered as income, but most people don't formalise that arrangement. So, it wouldn't be considered additional income unless there's a maintenance agreement.' Regarding income thresholds, Van Vrede specified: 'The means test threshold for the child support grant is R5,600, and the old age grant is almost R9,000, R8,990.' He added that rental income or any other income pushing beneficiaries over these limits could result in ineligibility for grants. 'If that rental income takes them over the threshold, then they won't qualify for the grant.' IOL News [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
