Temporary Suspension of SASSA Biometric Identity Verification (eKYC): What It Means for SRD R370 Beneficiaries

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has temporarily suspended its Biometric Identity Verification System, commonly known as eKYC (Electronic Know Your Customer). This system was introduced to combat fraud and impersonation in the application process for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 Grant.

However, on February 4, 2025, SASSA issued an important notice announcing that the eKYC system is down for maintenance. Unfortunately, this has left many grant applicants frustrated, as they are unable to verify their identity and complete their applications.

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Official SASSA Announcement on eKYC Suspension

SASSA released the following statement addressing the situation:

“IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL BENEFICIARIES:
We would like to bring to your attention that there has been a fraudulent eKYC link circulating, which is being sent to beneficiaries to verify their information after grant applications.

Please be advised that the official eKYC system is currently down for maintenance, and we are working tirelessly with the relevant departments to ensure that it will be up and running as soon as possible.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Your security and trust are of the utmost importance to us.

Please refrain from clicking on any suspicious links and report them to us immediately. We will notify you once the eKYC system is operational again.

Thank you for your cooperation.”

While the notice assures beneficiaries that the system will be restored soon, the ongoing suspension has raised serious concerns among those affected.

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Growing Frustrations Among Beneficiaries

For many applicants, the eKYC verification process has been an ongoing challenge. Some beneficiaries claim they have been waiting for verification links for several months—even up to a year—with little to no response from SASSA.

Here are some of the concerns raised by frustrated applicants:

📌 Long-Term System Downtime:

“SASSA, your system is always and forever down! We have been requesting and waiting for the ID verification link since March last year till today—same story every time we call: ‘system is down.’”

📌 Increased Risk of Scams:

“Scammers are taking advantage because SASSA has failed to send identity verification links to beneficiaries for over seven months. Same story from last year—‘system is down.’ SASSA is to be blamed for all of this.”

📌 Lack of Support and Communication:

“Same as me! I am so tired of sending emails and making calls because I can’t get help. I tried several times to go to the office, and they are always offline.”

📌 Confusion Around the eKYC Process:

“It’s been a year now, and I’m still trying to get the link! When you communicate, expect to be understood by your audience without ambiguity. You think everyone knows what an eKYC link is?”

📌 Call for a More Efficient System:

“It would be so easy and fast if SASSA could put a verification link on the SRD website so everyone could verify themselves. But instead, SASSA makes it difficult! You must phone them, and they tell you to wait for a link that never comes.”

These complaints highlight the urgent need for a more transparent and efficient identity verification process to prevent delays and reduce opportunities for fraud.

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What Can Beneficiaries Do While the System is Down?

✅ Stay Alert for Scams – Scammers are exploiting the situation by sending fake eKYC verification links. Do not click on any unverified links. Only trust information provided on SASSA’s official website or social media channels.

✅ Report Fraudulent Messages – If you receive suspicious messages asking for personal details, report them directly to SASSA.

✅ Contact SASSA Regularly for Updates – While it may be frustrating, checking in with SASSA is the only way to stay informed about the system’s restoration.

✅ Visit a SASSA Office (If Possible) – Although some beneficiaries have reported issues at offices, visiting in person may still be an option for urgent cases.

✅ Advocate for System Improvements – Beneficiaries have suggested that SASSA should allow users to complete their identity verification directly on the SRD website. Raising awareness about this issue may encourage SASSA to improve the process in the future.

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Conclusion

The temporary suspension of the SASSA eKYC system has placed many SRD grant applicants in a difficult position, with some waiting months for verification. While SASSA has acknowledged the problem, beneficiaries are demanding quicker solutions and a more reliable verification process.

As the situation develops, applicants are advised to stay vigilant against fraud and keep checking with SASSA for official updates.

👉 Have you been affected by the eKYC system outage? Share your experience in the comments below.