SASSA sets record straight on asylum seekers and social grants

South Africa Social Security Agency 

JOHANNESBURG – The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) does not pay social grants to undocumented foreign nationals, spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi says.

“We only pay refugees that qualify,” he says.

“The only thing that refugees do not qualify [for] is the right to vote,” he adds.

This follows a Constitutional Court ruling in July that declared parts of the Refugees Act unconstitutional and invalid.

READ: Court does not confer new rights to asylum seekers – Kubayi

The apex court found that asylum seekers cannot be denied access to the asylum system simply because they fail to provide certain documents, miss the stipulated five-day window to report to a refugee reception office, enter South Africa through an undesignated border or fail to meet other administrative requirements.

The court ruled that asylum claims must be considered on their merits before applicants can be turned away.

It also found that the provisions unfairly prejudiced children whose asylum claims depend on those of their parents.

READ: Inter-Ministerial Committee meets after ConCourt ruling on asylum seekers

The ruling sparked confusion, with misinformation spreading that asylum seekers had automatically been granted citizenship. Protests were reported in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Social media users also shared screenshots claiming that asylum seekers could receive social grants, fuelling further debate.

“Only 1,815 refugees receive social grants, not the numbers circulating on social media,” Letsatsi says.

He adds that grants are not permanent and that SASSA’s verification system removes beneficiaries whose status cannot be verified within six months.