The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is intensifying efforts to prevent social grant beneficiaries from misusing their funds on gambling.
Following mounting concerns, the agency has rolled out initiatives to educate recipients about the risks of gambling and to safeguard their financial security.
This action comes after Rise Mzansi’s chief whip, Makashule Gana, publicly criticized the Department of Social Development for its perceived lack of a robust plan to protect grant recipients.
Gana expressed concern over the growing number of people losing their grants to gambling or loan sharks.
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Gana called out the Social Development Minister, Sisisi Tolashe, for sidestepping the issue and passing responsibility to the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition.
Gana argued that while the problem may fall outside of the department’s jurisdiction, the minister should still show concern and take proactive measures.
When grant recipients lose their money, whether to gambling or loan sharks, the minister of social development should be concerned and motivated to act, rather than stating that it’s not her responsibility. This is not the mark of a government that cares,” he said.
In response, Sassa’s spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi, assured the public that the agency is not turning a blind eye to the issue.
He acknowledged that while Sassa had received few direct complaints regarding gambling, concerns had surfaced through other government bodies, such as the Presidential Hotline and the National Gaming Board.
Letsatsi explained that Sassa has partnered with the National Gaming Board to develop educational programs aimed at informing social grant recipients about the dangers of gambling.
The programs highlight the importance of using grant money responsibly and avoiding risky financial habits. “Sassa’s grants are meant to help people in need meet their basic daily requirements and should not be misused for gambling or other addictive behaviours,” Letsatsi stated.
Despite these warnings, some grant recipients continue to gamble.
In Alexandra, Johannesburg, 67-year-old Elizabeth Nkosi, a Sassa beneficiary, shared that she enjoys playing fafi, also known as umchina. Nkosi emphasized that while she can live off her grant money, gambling has become a pastime.
“Not all days are the same. Sometimes you win big, and sometimes you lose. But nothing feels as good as winning,” she said.
However, for 27-year-old Thandi Skhosana, gambling has become a necessity rather than a hobby.
She admitted to using card games to make extra money, explaining that the Sassa grant alone is insufficient to cover her expenses.
“Sometimes when I lose, I find myself borrowing money from friends to play again,” she confessed.
Sassa’s initiative to curb gambling with grant money underscores the agency’s commitment to ensuring that its financial assistance is used for its intended purpose—supporting vulnerable individuals.
Through continued collaboration with government institutions, Sassa aims to protect recipients from falling into the trap of gambling and other harmful financial habits.