Recent investigations spearheaded by GroundUp News have shed light on a persistent issue plaguing the COVID Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, informally known as the SASSA SRD R350 Grant. This financial lifeline, aimed at supporting millions of economically vulnerable South Africans each month, has unfortunately become the target of a cohort of fraudsters, exploiting the system at the expense of the rightful beneficiaries.
Escalating Fraudulent SASSA SRD R350 Grant Activities Since Early 2023
The beginning of 2023 marked the emergence of this alarming trend, with GroundUp and the social advocacy group #PayTheGrants documenting a surge in complaints and reports. Beneficiaries hailing from all corners of the nation have voiced their distress, shedding light on the multifaceted tactics employed by these fraudsters to misappropriate their SASSA SRD R350 grant funds.
Tactics Employed by Fraudsters
A variety of fraudulent strategies have been identified, including:
Unauthorised Changes to Contact Information: Beneficiaries report receiving SMS notifications from SASSA about changes to their registered cell phone numbers, a sign of the immediate end to their grant payments.
Identity Number Misappropriation: A striking issue has been observed among new SASSA SRD R350 grant applicants, particularly those who turned 18 in 2023. Their attempts to access the grant are futile, as their identity numbers are found to be pre-registered in the system, hinting at widespread identity theft.
A case in point is Bongani Nxumalo, an unemployed teacher from Daveyton in Benoni. After falling victim to the SMS-based scam in January 2023, Nxumalo’s plight has been a testament to the ongoing struggles faced by countless others, with resolution efforts proving to be ineffective.
Inadequacy of Current Fraud Prevention Measures
Despite SASSA’s efforts to curb these fraudulent activities, the current preventive strategies are falling short, with the rate of fraud outpacing the measures in place. The gravity of the situation is further compounded by the growing sophistication of the fraudulent schemes.
SASSA’s Technological Advancements to Combat Fraud
In response to these challenges, Paseka Letsatsi, the spokesperson for SASSA, acknowledged the constraints faced by the agency’s fraud unit, notably capacity limitations and the escalating volume of cases related to the SASSA SRD R350 grant. Letsatsi emphasised the unprecedented growth of the grant and its significance in supporting vulnerable populations.
In a strategic move to fortify the integrity of the grant distribution process, SASSA is on the verge of introducing advanced technological solutions. Among these innovations is the development of facial recognition software, aimed at enhancing the accuracy and security of the identity verification process. The implementation of this cutting-edge technology is slated for the 2024/2025 financial year, marking a significant milestone in SASSA’s commitment to safeguarding its beneficiaries against fraudulent activities.
Read more: A Closer Look at Misinformation About SASSA Payment Dates.
As the situation unfolds, the heightened vigilance and proactive measures by SASSA signal a determined stance against the exploitation of the SRD R350 Grant, ensuring that the support reaches its intended recipients without malicious interference.