Sassa denies R30m contract was meant to promote CEO

The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) has denied that a R30m communication contract was intended to promote its CEO, Themba Matlou, saying the process had begun before his appointment.

Sassa spokesperson Dr Paseka Letsatsi said the contract was aimed at improving communication with social grant beneficiaries across the country’s provinces.

The contract was therefore not initiated with Mr Matlou in mind.

The agency was responding to a Mail & Guardian report published on Friday titled “R30 million To Make Sassa CEO Look Good”.

Matlou was the regional executive manager responsible for Gauteng and Mpumalanga when the contract process began. He became acting CEO in December 2024.

Letsatsi said the contract supported public education campaigns, including the migration from Sassa Gold Cards to Postbank or other banks of beneficiaries’ choice.

Sassa does not expect favourable coverage in exchange for access to its officials.

Sassa further said Matlou had been cleared of wrongdoing by the Public Protector in relation to previous allegations.