Fosa Concerned About Unexplained Delays in Sassa Old Age Grant Verification

Tebogo Mashilompane
National Leader of Forum for South Africa

By Tebogo Mashilompane
National Leader of Forum for South Africa

The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) expresses serious concern regarding the continued delays and inconsistencies in the processing of an Old Age Grant application for Mr Jabulani John Nyaka (60), lodged at the SASSA Roodepoort branch.

Mr Nyaka, born on 29 August, submitted his:

First application on 29 August 2025

Second application in October 2025

Third application on 15 December 2025

On 17 December 2025, Mr Nyaka received an official SMS confirming that his application was successful.

However, on 06 January 2026, he was informed that the application is still subject to further verification.

FOSA finds this development unacceptable and deeply troubling.

It is unjustifiable that an elderly citizen, who has complied with all application requirements and received confirmation of approval, is now subjected to further delays without a clear explanation.

These administrative inconsistencies undermine the dignity of senior citizens and contradict SASSA’s mandate to provide timely social protection to the most vulnerable members of society.

Old Age Grants are not a privilege but a constitutional right for qualifying citizens.

FOSA therefore calls on:

SASSA management to urgently finalise the verification process.

Clear written communication to be provided to the applicant explaining the delay.

Accountability for systems that issue approval messages only to later reverse or delay implementation.

We further urge the Department of Social Development to intervene and ensure that elderly applicants are treated with dignity, fairness, and urgency.

FOSA will continue to monitor this matter closely and will not hesitate to escalate should this delay persist.