SASSA Rolls Out Biometric Enrolment from September

In other words, starting in September, SASSA will require people to register using things like fingerprints or face scans to make sure they are the right person.

South Africa’s social grant system is set for a major shake-up as the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) introduces mandatory biometric enrolment for all beneficiaries starting 1 September 2025.

The initiative, announced on Monday, aims to strengthen the integrity of the grants system by using fingerprint and facial recognition technology to verify recipients. SASSA says the move will help curb fraud, prevent duplicate payments, and ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive assistance.

“This marks the beginning of a new era for SASSA,” said CEO Themba Matlou. “After months of discussions with organised labour, we are finally ready to roll out biometric enrolment. Our goal is to ensure that the right social grant reaches the right person, and that fraudsters have no place in the system.”

What Will Change for Beneficiaries?

From September, all new grant applications will require biometric data—either fingerprints or facial recognition—through the electronic Know Your Client (eKYC) system. Applications without this information will be flagged for review, and applicants will be required to capture their biometrics before approval.

The system will:

• Reduce fraudulent applications and forged ID usage
• Eliminate duplicate or “ghost” beneficiaries
• Provide reliable proof of life
• Streamline verification and record-keeping processes
• Strengthen public trust in the grant system

SASSA says all its offices are already equipped with the necessary infrastructure, and staff training is underway to ensure a smooth rollout.

Questions Beneficiaries May Have

While SASSA has emphasised the benefits of the new system, many questions remain about how it will affect ordinary people who rely on grants for survival:

• Accessibility: Will elderly beneficiaries and people with disabilities—some of whom may struggle to provide fingerprints—face difficulties during enrolment?
• Rural challenges: How will beneficiaries in remote areas, where access to SASSA offices is limited, manage the transition to biometrics?
• System readiness: What happens if technical glitches or power outages disrupt biometric verification? Will payments be delayed?
• Data privacy: How will SASSA protect the biometric information of millions of South Africans from potential leaks or misuse?
• Transition period: What measures are in place to ensure that no beneficiary loses their grant while the new system is being introduced?

Building Trust

SASSA maintains that the new system is designed to protect beneficiaries and restore faith in the country’s social assistance programme, which supports more than 19 million South Africans.

“This is about safeguarding the future of social grants,” said Matlou. “We cannot afford to let fraudsters steal from the most vulnerable in our society. Biometric enrolment is a crucial step forward.”

For enquiries, beneficiaries can visit www.sassa.gov.za, call the toll-free number 0800 60 1011, or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.

U-SASSA uQinisa uBhaliso lweBiometric ukusuka kuSeptemba

Ngamanye amazwi, ukuqala kweyoMsintsi, iSASSA iza kufuna ukuba abantu babhalise besebenzisa izinto ezifana neminwe okanye iskeni sobuso ukuqinisekisa ukuba ngabantu abafanelekileyo.