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The South African
09-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
SASSA pension grants will NOT be doubled, confirms department
The Department of Social Development (DSD) has confirmed that SASSA pension grants will not be doubled. In fact, speaking before the Parliamentary portfolio committee on social development this week, the department said it is 'between a rock and a hard place' on social grants. Referring to the still-unapproved 2025 Budget, the DSD was responding to calls for SASSA pension grants to be doubled. Or at the very least increased again in 2025. As part of the committee meeting, SASSA pension grant advocate Riyad Isaac explained that the current grant amount was not enough to combat rising living costs in South Africa … Furthermore, the DSD overseas the South African Social Security Agency, which is tasked with disbursing social welfare to nearly 45% of the population. Nevertheless, there is still confusion over whether above-inflation grant increases in 2025 will remain or be overturned under a new budget. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana must convince parliament for a third time of his budget intentions. However, he famously said he was only proposing a VAT increase in 2025 to help pay for the ever-increasing social welfare contribution. This has led to wide-scale conjecture that suspended SASSA accounts in May are an attempt to claw money back. After a five-week gap, SASSA pension grants were paid this week. Image: File Nevertheless, even with the above-inflation increases approved in April 2025, beneficiaries of SASSA pension grants are not happy. 'I understand pensioners are now getting R2 310 (and R2 330 for over 75s) but it's nowhere near enough to survive. My heart goes out to all the over 60s. Remember, they are the backbone of society,' said Isaac in front of parliament. 'Some might have a pension, which is lucrative. But the majority of people are not that fortunate. Many live below the poverty line and struggle to make ends meet. R2 310 is not nearly enough if you look at the rates and rental they have to pay. There is no way we should allow pensioners to survive on only that amount,' Isaac concluded. In response, DSD acting chief director, Dr. Maureen Mogotsi said she sympathised, but said it would not be feasible to double SASSA pension grants. Of the roughly 19-million 'core' grants paid monthly, 4 million are SASSA pension grants. She said R285 billion has already been allocated to the social grants for the 2025/26 financial year. And because SASSA pension grants are already the highest paid among all grants, it makes it difficult to argue for an increase, let alone doubling, explained Mogotsi. 'It (Older Person grants) already exceeds the upper poverty line. While, in contrast, the R560 SASSA Child Support Grant is below the food poverty line, even though child poverty is higher than adult poverty. You see, we are between a rock and a hard place. Who should we consider first? It's simply not possible for us to double SASSA pension grants,' Mogotsi concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
27-04-2025
- IOL News
Border Management Authority suspends immigration officials amid corruption allegations
The Border Management Authority has suspended two immigration officials following their arrest for alleged corruption and involvement in contravening the Immigration Act at the Beitbridge Port of Entry. The Border Management Authority (BMA) has suspended two immigration officials who were among nine suspects arrested for allegedly being involved in corruption and the contravention of the Immigration Act. BMA Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Communication and Marketing Mmemme Mogotsi said the authority conducted an intelligence-driven operation at the Beitbridge Port of Entry last Tuesday at 9am. 'The operation led to the arrest of two BMA Immigration officials, five undocumented foreign nationals, and two suspected facilitators involved in the alleged unlawful entry of persons into the Republic and contravention of the Immigration Act,' Mogotsi said. She said two BMA executive members led the operation following extensive movement monitoring and the deployment of advanced technological surveillance at the port. The executives promptly contacted the South African Police Service (SAPS) detectives in Musina, the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, and the Local Criminal Record Centre to continue the investigation after observing suspicious activity. Mogotsi said that during the operation, the executives observed a white Mercedes-Benz taxi parked near a shop at the port. 'Two BMA Immigration officials, a 61-year-old female and a 44-year-old male, were seen engaging with the facilitator and subsequently allowing it to pass through, allegedly after receiving a bribe,' Mogotsi said. 'The vehicle was intercepted shortly thereafter and was found to be transporting 18 passengers, 13 of whom held valid travel documents, while five were undocumented foreign nationals. A female passenger and the taxi driver believed to have facilitated the illegal entry, were also arrested.' 'The BMA has since suspended the two implicated officials, pending the outcome of both internal disciplinary processes and the criminal investigation," said Mogotsi BMA acting commissioner Jane Thupana praised the BMA executive team's proactive involvement on the ground and reaffirmed the authority's commitment to cleaning up the system. 'This operation reflects the BMA's firm stance against corruption within its. I applaud the executive members for leading from the front and taking decisive action to restore integrity at one of our busiest ports. 'We are resolute in disrupting illegal facilitation networks and holding every official accountable to the highest standards of conduct,' Thupana said. She also noted that the operation strengthens the BMA's resolve to roll out body-worn cameras across all ports of entry. During the 2025 Easter period, 40 body cameras were deployed across various sites, enhancing monitoring capabilities and supporting real-time accountability. 'The implementation of body cameras is not just about oversight — it's about protecting both the official and the public and ensuring that every interaction at our ports is transparent, lawful, and traceable,' Thupana said. The Star previously reported that all suspects were charged with corruption and appeared in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, April 23. The five undocumented immigrants face separate charges under the Immigration Act. Additionally, Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said all accused were scheduled to appear in court on Thursday for a formal bail application. The matter was postponed to April 30. Meanwhile, BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato will hold a media briefing on Monday. He will present a report outlining movement statistics and interceptions at Ports of Entry during the recent Easter period.
