A criminological analysis on public perceptions of social security fraud within the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

Abstract

Social security grants represent one of the most critical poverty-alleviation mechanisms in South Africa, offering essential financial assistance to elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, caregivers, and unemployed individuals. However, persistent fraudulent practices within the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) threaten the integrity, sustainability, and legitimacy of this social protection system. Despite extensive media coverage on financial losses and administrative failures, limited criminological research has explored how communities themselves understand and interpret the drivers and impacts of social security fraud. This qualitative study critically examines public perceptions of social security fraud within the eThekwini Municipality, focusing on how the phenomenon manifests, the perceived motivations behind fraudulent behavior, and the broader socioeconomic consequences for national development. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm and a case study design, the research draws on thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 30 purposively selected participants who possess direct experience or knowledge of SASSA grant processes. Findings reveal that fraud is driven not only by opportunism and corruption but also by structural conditions such as poverty, unemployment, administrative weaknesses, and limited public understanding of grant eligibility rules. Participants emphasized that fraudulent activities deprive legitimate beneficiaries of support, intensify inequality, and erode public trust in state welfare institutions. Importantly, respondents identified several community-based prevention strategies, including awareness campaigns, collaboration with local leaders, and accessible anonymous reporting mechanisms. The study contributes to criminological scholarship by offering a nuanced, community-centered understanding of SASSA-related fraud and provides evidence-based recommendations to enhance accountability, strengthen institutional oversight, and promote sustainable fraud-prevention interventions within South Africa’s social welfare system.