South Africans Want Answers: SASSA Reveals R1.28 Billion In Payments To Foreign Nationals

R1.28 BILLION Paid To Foreign Nationals As New Grant Figures Spark Major Debate In South Africa

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has revealed that approximately R1.28 billion was spent on social grants and Social Relief of Distress (SRD) payments for legally eligible foreign nationals during the 2025/26 financial year.

The disclosure has renewed public debate about who qualifies for social assistance in South Africa, particularly at a time when millions of citizens depend on government support to meet their basic needs.

The figures were disclosed by Social Development Minister Dina Pule in a written parliamentary response to African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP Vuyo Zungula, who requested details of grant expenditure involving foreign nationals.

However, the amount represents less than 1% of South Africa’s overall social assistance budget, according to the minister’s response.

The breakdown shows that permanent residents accounted for the biggest portion of the expenditure, receiving approximately R1.12 billion in social grants.

Of this amount, R931.5 million went towards Older Persons Grants, while R134.5 million was allocated to Child Support Grants.

A further R31.7 million was spent on Disability Grants. Other payments included approximately R8.4 million for Care Dependency Grants, R6.6 million for Grant-in-Aid and R3.8 million for Foster Child Grants.

The figures indicate that older persons accounted for the largest share of the reported expenditure among permanent residents.

Recognised refugees accounted for approximately R150.8 million in social grant expenditure during the same financial year.

The Child Support Grant represented the largest portion, receiving R105.8 million, while Older Persons Grants accounted for R32.7 million.

The remaining expenditure covered other qualifying forms of assistance, including disability and care-related grants.

These allocations form part of the social assistance system, which allows certain categories of non-citizens to receive support when they meet the requirements set out in South African law.

The parliamentary response also revealed that approximately R10.6 million was spent on R370 SRD payments to qualifying foreign nationals.

Lesotho Exemption Permit holders received the largest share, approximately R9.18 million.

Other allocations included R962,370 for asylum seekers, R448,810 for Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders and R24,420 for Angolan Special Dispensation Permit holders.

These payments were subject to the applicable eligibility requirements and were not automatically available to every foreign national living in the country.

SASSA maintains that social grants are restricted to individuals who satisfy the relevant legal requirements. Depending on the grant, eligible categories include South African citizens, permanent residents and recognised refugees.

Certain documented asylum seekers and special-permit holders may also qualify for the SRD payment if they meet the specific conditions.

The agency says its verification processes include checking applicants’ information against Department of Home Affairs records. It maintains that undocumented immigrants and people unlawfully present in South Africa do not qualify for these benefits.

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