Latest news with #R165
The South African
14-08-2025
- Business
- The South African
GOOD news for September 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grants
September 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grants will go ahead as usual in less than three weeks' time. Better still, after several back-to-back five-week cycles, the wait for September 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grants won't be as long. September 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grants are payable to beneficiaries on Tuesday 2 September 2025. Although unconfirmed by the agency, these could be the last before a minor increase that typically takes place annually in October. While unconfirmed, October 2025 could see a nominal SASSA grant increase to keep pace with the rising cost of living. Image: File Nevertheless, all South African Social Security Agency grant recipients are urged to authenticate their accounts before September to avoid any payment delays. Back in June, the agency announced more stringent income verification processes to eliminate fraud and 'wastage.' As such, more than a quarter of a million 'core' grant recipients were investigated for breaching the income threshold. These clients received a text from SASSA, asking them to report to a branch office with particulars that verify their income. The agency is now able to better cross-reference income data from third-party sources. Image: File Moreover, to avoid any SASSA grant payment disruption, the agency added a fourth payment date. This will typically fall on the first Friday of every month for the rest of 2025. And SASSA CEO Temba Matlou asked all SASSA senior management to step up and assist beneficiaries with all income verification procedures. The agency also shared information on illegal SASSA grant deductions that have been plaguing Older Person recipients. It explained what may look like a R165 monthly deduction could be coming from a nefarious funeral policy provider posing as SASSA. Therefore, the government entity confirmed that it will never make a deduction from your grant monies with authorisation. A fourth payment date was introduced to stop delays following income verification. Image: File Allow us also to remind you that the asset and income limits enforced by the agency have quietly increased in 2025. Older Person annual income may not exceed R107 800 (single) and R215 760 (married). These figures have been upped from R101 640 and R203 380, respectively. Which is way more than inflation, at 20%. Likewise, a SASSA Older Person beneficiaries' assets should not be valued higher than R1 524 600 (single) R3 049 200 (married). Once again, this is up from R1 438 800 and R2 877 600, respectively. SASSA grants can be deposited in your personal bank account or through the Postbank Gold card. Image: File Nevertheless, retiring South African residents are turning 60 every day, so how can they apply for September 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grants? Well, there are no online application forms, everyone must apply in-person at a SASSA branch. You may get a friend or family member to apply on your behalf if you have a doctor's note. Be sure your present the following information to SASSA: Bring along your official RSA identity document (ID). Provide all documents proving your marital status. Supply a proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it). Show all proof of income and/or financial dividends. Bring any information regarding assets, valuation of property. You must declare any private pension in your name. Provide a valid three months' statement certified by your bank (no older than three months'). Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership book, or discharge certificate from your previous employer. A copy of your will, and first and final liquidation and distribution accounts if your spouse has passed away in the last five years. Elderly beneficiaries are warned against any funeral policy providers claiming to be from SASSA, as the agency does not offer such services. Image: File The agency pays grants to 45% of the population, so new September 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grants will typically only be processed in a three-month wait period. Nevertheless, if you are unsuccessful, you have 90 days to lodge an appeal with the Department of Social Development (DSD) by clicking HERE. Beyond September 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grants, here are the remaining payment dates for the rest of the year. Thankfully, each falls on a four-week cycle: OCTOBER – Thursday 2 October 2025 (potential increase unconfirmed) (potential increase unconfirmed) NOVEMBER – Tuesday 4 November 2025 DECEMBER – Tuesday 2 December 2025 And a reminder if your September 2025 SASSA Old-Age Grants are questioned and you're found to be over the income limit, you must pay all the money back. SASSA offers three repayment systems. One is a direct lump sum. The second is debit order which runs off your personal bank account each month. And, finally, a payment plan can be arrange. But it will accrue interest and end up costing you more in the long run. 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.
The South African
11-08-2025
- Business
- The South African
Agency sets record straight on SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions
Numerous complaints about unauthorised SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions has the agency reaching out to beneficiaries. SASSA CEO Themba Matlou said this past week that the agency has no authority to make any SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions. So, why has there been such a spate of this occurring in the last month? The SAPS has been alerted to anyone misrepresenting themselves as a government agency. Image: File By way of clarification, the South African Social Security Agency assures clients that it is not allowed to make deductions without notifying the recipient beforehand and receiving consent. If you have not received your full grant amount for the month of August, you must contact SASSA immediately to rectify the situation. Recently, several SASSA beneficiaries have come forward alleging that their grants are arriving with R165 already deducted, reports The Citizen . Due to the sheer number of complaints, the concern is that this has moved beyond a few isolated incidents and there are nefarious actors at play. You should never have any money deducted from your SASSA payment without giving consent beforehand. Image: File 'I can tell you outright that we are not allowed to make SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions from a beneficiary without their consent. That is the regulation. Your money is your money. Once we give you the money, we have no control over that,' clarified Matlou. 'However, of course, there will be these unscrupulous chance-takers who will try to take advantage of SASSA grant recipients. A possible reason could be funeral policies being deducted from immediately after the SASSA Grant payment. But the agency does not offer any such policy. And the agency does not allow anyone to advertise policies using its branding,' Matlou explained. Anyone using the SASSA branding in a misleading manner will be investigated in court. Image: File Furthermore, Matlou admitted that these unauthorised SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions have been brought to the agency's attention. And it has handed investigations over to the SAPS to try find these people. It is a serious offence to misrepresent yourself as a government entity. As such, if you think you've fallen prey to unauthorised SASSA Old-Age Grant deductions, here's what you can do: SMS your ID number, full name, the name of the financial service provider, policy duration and reason for disputing the deduction to 34548 . . WhatsApp SASSA on +27 82 046 8553 Call the SASSA helpline on 080 060 1011 or visit a local office in-person. or visit a local office in-person. You may also want to contact your bank and/or third-party insurer if you think our profiles have been compromised. Try contacting SASSA for assistance on the following provincial numbers: Eastern Cape: 043 707 6300 Gauteng: 011 241 8320 Mpumalanga: 013 754 9446 Limpopo: 015 291 7509 North West: 018 388 4006 Free State: 051 410 8339 North West: 053 802 4919 KwaZulu-Natal: 033 846 3324 Western Cape: 021 469 0235 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.
The Citizen
09-08-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Sassa respond to social grant deduction complaints
Here's what to do if you have unauthorised Sassa grant deductions. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has cleared the air on claims it makes unauthorised deductions against grant recipients. The agency has frequently received complaints that grant recipients are not receiving their full amount, and suspicious deductions are being made. Earlier this year, The Citizen's sister newspaper, the Alberton Record, reported how one resident was reportedly being deducted R165 each month without authorisation, suggesting the problem extends far beyond isolated incidents. CEO Themba Matlou said this week that Sassa is not allowed to make deductions without notifying the recipient. 'I can tell you outright that we've got regulations, social assistance regulations, that are very clear. That we are not allowed to deduct any policy from the beneficiary without the beneficiary's consent. That is the regulation.' He said that while funeral policies can be deducted from Sassa grants, the agency does not allow anyone to advertise policies using their branding. 'Your money is your money. Once we give you the money, we have no control over that. But, of course, there will be these unscrupulous chancetakers, who will do that [take advantage of grant recipients]. He said the matter had been brought to the agency's attention, and it had moved to inform recipients that it does not provide funeral policies itself. 'We immediately put the fake sticker, and then I handed it over to the fraud and police to investigate those people, because they're not allowed to misrepresent the government. But I can tell you outright that is not our policy. It is not our stance.' ALSO READ: Sassa warns grant recipients of 'Ubuntu Life' misusing name and logo What to do if you have unauthorised deductions? Those who have noted unauthorised deductions are advised to send an SMS to 34548, including their ID number, full name, the name of the financial service provider, policy duration, and reason for disputing the deduction. For those uncertain about the source of deductions, Sassa recommends contacting their helpline at 080 060 1011 or visiting a local Sassa office for direct assistance. Sassa also advised beneficiaries to visit the insurer or FSP for cancellation if they have registered for insurance and are no longer interested. 'Clients are advised to always be vigilant and careful prior to signing any documents,' the agency warned. Additional reporting by Enkosi Selane NOW READ: Sassa pilots grant improvements in Western Cape
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Court admits Helen Suzman Foundation as amicus curiae in apartheid litigation
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has been admitted as amicus curiae into litigation concerning the government's failure to prosecute apartheid-era crimes referred to by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Image: Leon Muller / Independent Newspapers Archives The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has been allowed to join the ongoing litigation regarding the government's failure to prosecute apartheid-era crimes as a friend of the court. This was after the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, admitted the foundation as 'amicus curiae' in the case that was brought by families of the victims who were killed and disappeared during the apartheid years. The families filed the court application earlier this year, seeking constitutional damages for political interference and suppression of the cases from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The families want the government to pay R165 million for constitutional damage and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish a commission of inquiry into political interference, which halted the investigations and prosecutions of the perpetrators. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The litigation is also supported by the Foundation for Human Rights as co-applicants. The TRC was set up in 1996. Its mission was to expose and record apartheid-era crimes and allow some of those responsible to confess their role, including members of the apartheid government's state security forces who were implicated in many killings. Some were granted amnesty from prosecution, but thousands were denied it, and others did not come forward. The commission released the first five volumes of its final report in October 1998, and the remaining two volumes were released in March 2003. The cases were referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further investigation and prosecution. However, to date, only a handful of cases have been followed up. HSF, said, as amicus curiae, will make submissions highlighting the right to truth, a right borne not only by the families of the victims, but by the South African public at large. In its application filed in March, the foundation highlighted it would present its argument and offer information on the matter. The foundation said it would also highlight the importance of completing the work of the TRC and demonstrate that it is necessary to give effect, 'inter alia', to the public's right to the truth and the realisation of constitutional ideals around reconciliation and the recognition of the injustices of the past. The foundation said it believes this would be achieved through the investigation and prosecution of those accused of apartheid-era crimes, as well as the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the failure of the government to investigate and prosecute these crimes. 'HSF also emphasises the duty incumbent upon domestic courts to ensure the prosecution of crimes against humanity, including apartheid,' read the statement. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa, who withdrew opposition to the litigation in February, in April announced he was in the process of establishing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to establish whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation or prosecution of the crimes referred by TRC to the NPA. The establishment of the commission is the outcome of settlement discussions in a court application.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- IOL News
Fraudulent petrol claims land detective warrant officer in hot water
Officer faces charges of theft, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice, all stemming from the alleged illegal confiscation of goods valued at R165 000. Officer faces charges of theft, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice, all stemming from the alleged illegal confiscation of goods valued at R165 000. A 52-year-old Detective Warrant Officer from the Polokwane Crime Intelligence Unit has been arrested for allegedly submitting fraudulent petrol claims. According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the State Security Agency (SSA) grew suspicious after detecting irregularities in petrol claims submitted by the officer. "The matter came to light when a report was received from the State Security Agency (SSA) concerning suspicious petrol claims submitted by the suspect. Upon reviewing the claims, it was noted that all attached petrol slips were photocopies, prompting immediate concern." Ledwaba added that as soon as the matter was brought to the police's attention, an investigation was launched immediately, and the officer was summoned to appear in court. "A case docket was registered, and the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit took over the investigation. Once it was concluded, the suspect was formally served with a summons to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on April 23," Ledwaba added. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Major General Samuel Manala, has strongly condemned the incident and reaffirmed the SAPS's commitment to taking decisive action against any form of corruption or misconduct within its ranks. In recent months, there has been a surge in arrests of police officers implicated in criminal activities. IOL previously reported on the arrest of a Gauteng police station commander who allegedly seized goods worth R165 000 without following legal procedures. Colonel Logan Govender, station commander of Norwood Police Station, was arrested last month by the Gauteng Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit. He faces charges of theft, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. The incident that led to Govender's arrest dates back to 21 August 2020, when he allegedly coordinated a bogus operation involving the confiscation of stock from a shop. According to police, Govender had approached the shop owner accompanied by a civilian named Oelof Abraham Du Plooy, who posed as an expert in illicit cigarettes from the Adams and Adams company. The duo claimed to have received a tip-off from the Crime Intelligence unit regarding the sale of illicit substances at the establishment. After his arrest, he appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, which granted him bail set at R3 000. The case has been remanded to May 29, 2025. The Star
