SJD1501
Assignment 6
Semester 2 2025
Due 20 October 2025
, SJD1501
Assignment 6
Semester 2 2025
Due 20 October 2025
Social Dimensions of Justice
Question 1: In your opinion, what are the causes of corruption in SASSA?
Corruption in the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) emerges primarily from
systemic weaknesses, institutional inefficiencies, and political dynamics.
Systemic weaknesses and poor data management
SASSA’s reliance on fragmented and poorly synchronised databases, such as
Beneficiary Records Management (BRM) and Socpen, has created loopholes for
fraudulent claims. Payments to deceased individuals and the persistence of ghost
beneficiaries reflect severe gaps in data verification (BizCommunity, 2025). Manual
registers and incomplete recordkeeping further increase opportunities for manipulation.
Collusion and insider fraud
Corruption is facilitated by collusion between SASSA officials and external actors.
Employees have been directly implicated in large-scale fraud, such as the R260 million
scheme involving officials who approved false applications and manipulated medical
records (SowetanLive, 2025). This demonstrates how insider access undermines
integrity within the institution.
Contractual and outsourcing failures
The history of irregular contracts with private service providers, such as Cash
Paymaster Services (CPS), highlights governance failures. The Constitutional Court
declared the CPS contract invalid, yet delays and overpayments persisted due to weak
Assignment 6
Semester 2 2025
Due 20 October 2025
, SJD1501
Assignment 6
Semester 2 2025
Due 20 October 2025
Social Dimensions of Justice
Question 1: In your opinion, what are the causes of corruption in SASSA?
Corruption in the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) emerges primarily from
systemic weaknesses, institutional inefficiencies, and political dynamics.
Systemic weaknesses and poor data management
SASSA’s reliance on fragmented and poorly synchronised databases, such as
Beneficiary Records Management (BRM) and Socpen, has created loopholes for
fraudulent claims. Payments to deceased individuals and the persistence of ghost
beneficiaries reflect severe gaps in data verification (BizCommunity, 2025). Manual
registers and incomplete recordkeeping further increase opportunities for manipulation.
Collusion and insider fraud
Corruption is facilitated by collusion between SASSA officials and external actors.
Employees have been directly implicated in large-scale fraud, such as the R260 million
scheme involving officials who approved false applications and manipulated medical
records (SowetanLive, 2025). This demonstrates how insider access undermines
integrity within the institution.
Contractual and outsourcing failures
The history of irregular contracts with private service providers, such as Cash
Paymaster Services (CPS), highlights governance failures. The Constitutional Court
declared the CPS contract invalid, yet delays and overpayments persisted due to weak
