CAPE TOWN - Government is tightening it's grip in the fight against fraud at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
The agency has upgraded its biometric and income verification systems for better checks.
READ | Thousands illegally benefitting from social grants
As a result, nearly 35 000 grants were identified as incorrect or fraudulent and have been terminated.
This was revealed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana when he tabled the 2026 Budget Speech on Monday.
According to Godongwana, these improved upgrades and tighter targeting on authentication beneficiaries are expected to yield R3 billion of savings.
He stressed that government remains committed to ensuring that deserving and eligible South Africans receive support.
“Abuse of the system will not be tolerated,” he said.