ATOK, Limpopo — Elderly pensioners in Atok, Limpopo, are raising urgent concerns over unauthorized SASSA deductions that have significantly reduced their monthly old age grants. For the past five months, vulnerable beneficiaries have reported unexplained monthly losses of R200, leaving them struggling to make ends meet and afford basic necessities like food.
Among those severely affected are three frail siblings, including 66-year-old Masotoane Mabotha, his 71-year-old brother, and his 77-year-old sister. Mabotha emphasized that every cent counts as they age, noting that his inquiries with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have not shed any light on where the missing money is going. The continuous deductions have negatively impacted his livelihood, as he can no longer work and relies solely on the social grant to survive.
Another 70-year-old pensioner in the area echoed these concerns, stating that the ongoing withdrawals have left her household struggling, with children going hungry due to an inability to buy enough food. When she approached SASSA officers for answers, she was informed that the money was being debited for a funeral policy. However, she firmly stated she does not hold a funeral policy, only a local burial society, leaving her bewildered and distressed about the continuous, unexplained withdrawals.
In response to the growing crisis, SASSA regional spokesperson Chippy cautioned pensioners against handing over their identity documents to individuals impersonating SASSA officials. Chippy clarified that the agency does not process such deductions directly.
“What we have realized is our beneficiaries would hand over their ID numbers to third parties, like funeral schemes,” Chippy explained. The spokesperson noted that scammers often target the elderly by promising to increase their grant amounts or offering groceries. Some fraudsters even falsely claim to be affiliated with the agency. “As SASSA, we have no mandate, none whatsoever, to work with funeral schemes or any other third party,” Chippy emphasized.
The issue of grant fraud in the region has recently seen decisive administrative action. Earlier this month, SASSA dismissed four officials from the Nebo office in Sekhukhune who are suspected of being involved in fraud amounting to R33-million.
Due to a massive influx of similar complaints, primarily registered from affected districts in the province, SASSA acknowledged that its turnaround time to resolve these challenges has been prolonged. The agency continues to urge elderly beneficiaries to safeguard their personal information, verify the legitimacy of any third party, and report suspicious activity immediately.
