The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will officially launch its mandatory biometric enrolment system for social grant applicants on Monday, September 1, marking a major shift in how the country manages its R250 billion social assistance programme.
Under the new Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment (BBE) system, all new — and some updated — grant applications must include fingerprint or facial recognition data collected through electronic Know Your Client (eKYC) technology. Applications submitted without the required biometric information will be flagged, reviewed, and applicants will be notified to complete the process before their applications are considered.
A New Digital Era for Social Grants
Sassa says the biometric rollout marks the beginning of a “new digital era” aimed at improving security, reducing fraud, and enhancing accountability in South Africa’s social grant system — which supports an estimated 18 to 28 million beneficiaries each month.
Sassa CEO Themba Matlou confirmed the system’s implementation had been delayed due to lengthy negotiations with labour unions. With those discussions now concluded, the nationwide rollout is set to proceed as planned.
“Biometric enrolment is essential to ensure we are paying the right person, at the right time,” Matlou stated.
Key Benefits of the Biometric System
According to Sassa, the BBE system is expected to deliver multiple benefits:
- Reduced fraud and duplication in applications
- Accurate verification of identity and “proof of life”
- Faster, more reliable processing of documentation
- Improved auditability and data integrity
- Increased public trust in the social grants system
August was used as a preparatory phase, with biometric infrastructure installed across Sassa offices and staff receiving training to ensure a smooth rollout.
What Grant Applicants Need to Know
- Mandatory biometric collection (fingerprint or facial scan) begins September 1, 2025 for all new social grant applications.
- The process will be quick and secure, typically taking just a few minutes at Sassa offices.
- Applications missing biometrics will be delayed, as they trigger internal review processes.
- Sassa has assured the public that all biometric data will be stored securely, although privacy advocates have flagged concerns over potential misuse of sensitive information.
The agency stressed that this initiative reflects its commitment to improving service delivery and cracking down on corruption. Matlou added that any official found to be colluding in fraudulent activity would face strict disciplinary action.
With the infrastructure now in place and staff trained, Sassa says the biometric enrolment system is a vital step toward a more transparent, efficient, and secure social grant administration process.
