SASSA Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plan, and Budget (2025–2030)
Presented to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development – 23 April 2025

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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) presented its Strategic Plan (2025–2030), Annual Performance Plan (2025/26), and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Budget to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development. The briefing detailed SASSA’s operational priorities, budget allocations, performance targets, and strategic risks.

Context and Background

SASSA administers over 19 million social grants monthly, including for older persons, children, and people with disabilities. An additional 9 million South Africans rely on the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. Social assistance reaches approximately 45% of the population.

The agency operates under the SASSA Act (2004) and the Social Assistance Act (2004), with its plans aligned to the Medium-Term Development Plan (2024–2029) and the National Development Plan (2030). Key challenges include fraud, cyber threats, and legacy system inefficiencies.

Strategic Plan (2025–2030): Vision and Outcomes

SASSA’s vision is to be “a leader in innovative social security services”. Three main outcomes are outlined:

1. Reduced Levels of Poverty
   • Expand social assistance coverage
   • Implement automated eligibility verification and fraud detection
   • Maintain 100% accuracy in payments
   • Provide temporary relief during crises
2. Improved Customer Experience
   • Reduce turnaround time for grant applications (from 7 days to 1 day by 2029/30)
   • Increase access via kiosks and alternative models
   • Expand outreach and awareness
3. Improved Organisational Efficiency
   • Finalize digitization and modernize ICT systems
   • Implement biometric authentication
   • Manage costs (target: R37 per beneficiary)
   • Achieve full compliance with audit and governance requirements

SWOT Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement

SASSA highlighted its strengths in government integration and data processing but noted challenges such as budget constraints, outdated systems, and service inefficiencies. It aims to capitalize on digital transformation and modern customer service while managing external threats such as cybercrime, political shifts, and economic pressures.

Key stakeholders include the Department of Social Development (high power, high interest), beneficiaries (low power, high interest), and SASSA’s commercial partners.

Annual Performance Plan (2025/26)

The APP consists of 28 targets across two programmes:

• Programme 1: Administration
  • Focus on audit outcomes, automation, biometric systems, cyber security, and communication
• Programme 2: Benefits Administration
  • Targets include processing 1.6 million grant applications, maintaining over 19.5 million grants in payment, and serving 1 million children under two through grants

Budget Overview (2025/26)

SASSA’s budget is aligned with government’s cost-containment approach:

• R3.9 billion allocated for employee compensation
• Budget prioritizes digitization, self-service kiosks, cyber security, and fraud mitigation
• 90% of budget is committed to grants and contracts; only 10% remains for operational needs

National Treasury conditions include:

• Income verification via SARS and NSFAS
• Biometric checks on suspicious applications
• Quarterly progress reports on compliance

Recommendations

The presentation concluded with a recommendation for the Portfolio Committee to support the:

• Strategic Plan (2025–2030)
• Annual Performance Plan (2025/26)
• MTEF Budget Allocations (2025/26–2027/28)