South Africa: Sassa Shuts Down Fake Claims About Grants for Foreign Nationals

What the report says

South Africa’s Social Security Agency, Sassa, has rejected viral claims that undocumented foreign nationals are receiving social grants, saying the figures being shared online are false. According to the Scrolla report distributed by AllAfrica, Sassa said only 1,815 refugees nationwide currently receive social grants, and those payments are limited to people who qualify under the rules.

The agency’s comments come amid public anger and unrest in Soweto and Durban this month, where police said rumours about undocumented foreigners getting government money helped fuel violent protests. Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said the agency pays grants only to eligible refugees and that the system is designed to remove people whose status cannot be verified within six months.

The report says the confusion followed a Constitutional Court ruling on 7 July involving asylum seekers’ access to the application process, and a later statement from the Department of Home Affairs on 7 October disputing claims that the decision amounted to citizenship or blanket legal status. Sassa said the rules for the R370 grant have not changed since 2022 and still apply to South African citizens, permanent residents, recognised refugees, special permit holders and certain asylum seekers with valid permits. Sassa CEO Themba Matlou urged the public to rely on official channels before sharing information.