Media Statement
Official source
Source domain: tsantsabane.gov.za
Collected on 17 June 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
What this document offers
Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.
Dispute a debit order with your bank
If the deduction is not made by SASSA but appears as a debit order on your bank statement, you can dispute the debit order by engaging your respective bank.
- Who it is for
- clients who see the deduction on their bank statement as a debit order from their bank account
- How to act on it
- Engage your respective bank to dispute the debit order
The document's recorded date is 5 March 2026. Confirm on the official source.
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If the deduction is not made by SASSA but directly through a debit order from the client’s bank account, in other words you can see it on your bank statement, the client needs to then engage their respective bank to dispute the debit order.
Approach the National Financial Ombuds Scheme (NFOSA)
If you cannot resolve the matter with the service provider that actioned the debit order, you can approach the National Financial Ombuds Scheme to complain.
- Who it is for
- clients whose debit-order dispute is not resolved with the service provider
- How to act on it
- Approach the National Financial Ombuds Scheme using the provided complaints page
The document's recorded date is 5 March 2026. Confirm on the official source.
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If they are not able to resolve the matter with the Service Provider who has actioned the debit order, the client can then approach the National Financial Ombuds Scheme ( https://nfosa.co.za/how-to-complain/ ).
Dispute a funeral-policy deduction by SMS to 34548
If you requested a deduction from your social grant for a funeral policy and want to dispute it, you can dispute the deduction by sending an SMS to 34548 with your identity number and the financial services provider’s name.
- Who it is for
- clients who requested a deduction from their social grant for a funeral policy and want to dispute it
- How to act on it
- Send an SMS to 34548 with your Identity number and the financial services provider’s name
The document's recorded date is 5 March 2026. Confirm on the official source.
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For those clients who have requested a deduction from their social grant for a funeral policy, and would like to dispute such, are advised to immediately dispute the deduction by sending an SMS to 34548 with their Identity number and the financial services provider’s name.
Facts
Reference
https://tsantsabane.gov.za/2026/03/20/media-statement/
Key Takeaways
- Issuing organisation: South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
- Date of media statement: 05 March 2026
- Subject: SASSA refutes allegations of involvement in insurance scams
- Claimed scam: individuals allegedly posing as Clientele Life and IFA, promising food vouchers/benefits, obtaining personal details, then money deducted
- CEO: Themba Matlou strongly distances SASSA from the acts; systems do not allow such practice
- Warning: beneficiaries should not share personal details, especially banking details
- SASSA does not work directly with funeral schemes and insurance companies
- No authority to make deductions without beneficiaries’ consent; funeral deductions require biometric enrollment and consent
- Dispute process for SASSA-made deductions: SMS 34548 with identity number and financial services provider name
- If deduction is via debit order on bank statement: dispute with the bank; if unresolved, approach National Financial Ombuds Scheme (NFOSA)
- South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
- Themba Matlou
- Clientele Life
- IFA
- National Financial Ombuds Scheme (NFOSA)
- Tsantsabane Local Municipality
Dates
Closing Date
5 March 2026