SASSA temporarily closes Johannesburg office following fraud allegations against officials
The Johannesburg SASSA office will be temporarily closed following fraud allegations. Services will continue at satellite centres to ensure beneficiaries have uninterrupted access to social assistance during this transition.
Image: File
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced operational changes at its Johannesburg Local Office amid ongoing challenges and allegations of fraud involving some of its officials.
Effective Monday, 15 September 2025, the office will be temporarily closed until further notice as the agency works to resolve the underlying issues affecting service delivery.
The decision follows the suspension of eight officials who were arrested and charged with fraud at the Lenasia Magistrate's Court.
Sassa CEO Themba Matlou emphasised that their suspension “reaffirms Sassa's intolerance of any form of malfeasance.''
He added that the agency maintains a “zero-tolerance approach even against its own officials who have got a case to answer.”
“We want to make sure that everyone is brought to book and they account for their actions. It is unfortunate that this has led to a temporary closure of the office, but we are putting measures in place to ensure that our people are attended to,'' said Matlou.
To maintain access to social assistance services in Johannesburg and surrounding areas, he said SASSA will redeploy staff to satellite points, including Westbury Clinic, South Hills Community Hall, and Cosmo City Multipurpose Centre.
These sites will operate on staggered schedules, with Westbury open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 am to 3 pm, Cosmo City on Thursdays and Fridays, and South Hills on Mondays.
Additional outreach services will be available at venues such as South Rand Community Hall, Bertha Solomon Recreation Centre in Malvern and Jeppestown, and Yeoville Recreation Centre, covering areas including South Hills Glenanda, Berea, Yeoville, Hillbrow, and Braamfontein, on scheduled dates throughout the coming months.
Matlou said these measures are part of Sassa’s ongoing commitment to remain accessible and responsive to the needs of clients during this transition.
Meanwhile, back-office teams will continue processing enquiries and applications to clear backlogs, strengthen fraud prevention, and restore public confidence, said Motlou.
Sassa has appealed for patience and cooperation from the Johannesburg community during this transition, reiterating its commitment to delivering services with professionalism and compassion.
Beneficiaries are reminded that Sassa services remain free of charge.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za.
IOL News