Sassa denies R30m contract was meant to promote CEO

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandSassa CEO Themba Matlou. Picture: Freddy Mavunda Story audio is generated using AI

The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) has denied that a R30m communication contract was intended to promote its CEO, Themba Matlou, saying the process had begun before his appointment.

Sassa spokesperson Dr Paseka Letsatsi said the contract was aimed at improving communication with social grant beneficiaries across the country’s provinces.

“The contract was therefore not initiated with Mr Matlou in mind,” Letsatsi said.

The agency was responding to a Mail & Guardian report published on Friday titled “R30 million To Make Sassa CEO Look Good”.

Matlou was the regional executive manager responsible for Gauteng and Mpumalanga when the contract process began. He became acting CEO in December 2024.

Letsatsi said the contract supported public education campaigns, including the migration from Sassa Gold Cards to Postbank or other banks of beneficiaries’ choice.

Sassa does not expect favourable coverage in exchange for access to its officials

The initial migration deadline of February 28 2025 was extended to March 20 and then April 30. By March 20, more than 1-million Gold Card holders had yet to migrate.

Sassa said it intensified communication through social media, traditional media and activations at taxi ranks, shopping malls and other public spaces to ensure beneficiaries understood the changes and deadlines.

Letsatsi also defended the agency’s media engagements, saying they helped journalists understand its operations and report accurately on issues such as social grant reviews, eligibility requirements and fraud prevention.

He rejected suggestions that the engagements were intended to influence journalists or discourage critical reporting.

“Sassa does not expect favourable coverage in exchange for access to its officials,” the agency said.

The agency also disputed claims that media engagements began when Matlou took over as acting CEO, saying his first engagement in that role was held in March 2025.

Sassa further said Matlou had been cleared of wrongdoing by the Public Protector in relation to previous allegations referenced in the report.

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