SASSA faces operational challenges amid 62% vacancy rate, budget constraints

THE South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is facing a critical staffing shortage, with less than 50% of its permanent positions filled in local offices nationwide.

- HOPE NTANZI

This shortage is contributing to long queues and delays in social grant services, raising concerns over service delivery.

A recent parliamentary question from Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament Alexandra Abrahams revealed that SASSAs fixed staff establishment includes 18 603 permanent posts, but only 7 076 of these are currently filled.

This means a vacancy rate of 62%, with 144 funded posts vacant at different stages of recruitment, and a total of 128 posts having been vacated.

Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe explained that, while there thousands of vacant permanent posts there are only 272 funded posts. She said many posts remain unfunded due to constraints in the Compensation of Employees (CoE) budget.