South Africa social security systems face legal and administrative crisis

South Africa is facing significant challenges regarding its social security systems. An intensified audit by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) intended to reduce fraud has resulted in bureaucratic difficulties for lawful beneficiaries. Many vulnerable citizens have faced suspended payouts and long queues for biometric registration and verification.

Simultaneously, the future of the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is being contested in the Supreme Court of Appeal. The government is appealing a High Court ruling that declared several aspects of the grant system unconstitutional. The previous ruling found that requirements such as mandatory online applications unfairly excluded those without internet access and that the grant amount and income thresholds were inadequate.

The legal battle centers on whether the SRD grant should be treated as a temporary Covid-19 intervention or a permanent form of social assistance for the unemployed.