Sassa dismissals mount amid threats against investigating officials

Death threats against officials investigating alleged wrongdoing have raised concerns at the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), which says it has dismissed 65 employees for misconduct since April 2025.

IOL and TimesLIVE have reported that the agency received 134 disciplinary cases during the period, finalising 106, with 28 still pending.

Chief executive Themba Matlou welcomed the recent dismissal of four officials, saying the agency’s measures to protect the social grant system were producing results.

The Eastern Cape accounted for 19 dismissals, followed by Gauteng and Mpumalanga with 13 each, and KwaZulu-Natal with 11.

Other disciplinary outcomes included warnings and unpaid suspensions. Some employees resigned during proceedings, while 16 cases were withdrawn and four officials were acquitted.

Matlou condemned threats and intimidation directed at employees handling misconduct cases. He said Sassa supported officials performing their duties lawfully and in the public interest.

The agency was strengthening controls and investigating allegations, he said, while stressing that disciplinary proceedings must remain fair and each case be assessed on its merits.

Sources: IOL, Hope Ntanzi, 25 October; TimesLIVE, 26 October.