2025 SASSA SRD investigation reveals security findings
Findings of an independent SASSA SRD investigation leave more questions than answers into on-going identity theft …
The South African Social Security Agency has welcome findings of a SASSA SRD investigation into fraud, corruption and identity theft. According to a release on its social media channels, acting SASSA CEO Themba Matlou did admit there are ‘some areas of weakness’ that still need to be resolved. A reminder, too, from the agency that the final SRD payment will run from Wednesday March 26 to Friday March 28 2025.
In an unprecedented occurrence, SASSA and the Treasury are still to confirm if R370 SASSA SRD grants will even be extended into April 2025. Many beneficiaries take for granted that it will simply be extended like it has every year since the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the postponed Budget Speech and wrangling over VAT increases, the future of SASSA grants in South Africa is by no means certain …
2025 SASSA SRD INVESTIGATION
Nevertheless, as far as the SASSA SRD investigation goes, Matlou told parliament that implementation plans to keep the system secure would be actioned immediately. The investigation was actioned by Minister Sisisi Tolashe late last year after reports of identity theft. SASSA says system upgrades will include:
- Increased annual vulnerability and penetration assessments.
- Reducing the number of clients who can apply per number from five to one.
- Introducing real-time system monitoring to detect anomalies.
- Broaden the use of biometric technology with randomised verification checks.
Furthermore, Matlou explained to parliament that the agency has already introduced several SASSA IT system upgrades. Including, “reconfiguring webserver files to prevent external website manipulation” and updating its firewall. The Pakistani-hosted website was hacked by two first-year computer science students at Stellenbosch University.
WHAT ABOUT LONG-TERM PLANS?
Furthermore, SASSA hopes to introduce these medium- to long-term safeguards:
- Biometric verification for all online transactions.
- Quicken and improve the site’s software development cycle.
- More internal and external audits throughout the year.
Matlou says improved safety from the SASSA SRD investigation is already reaping benefits. Since the audit, they have observed and quashed more than 1 650 identify theft attempts. And these have been reported to applicable law enforcement agencies.