Will the SITA Strike Disrupt SASSA Payments in November 2025?

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) holds the responsibility of managing social grants for eligible South African citizens. These grants serve as a crucial income source for millions. Yet, recent actions by the employees of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) have sparked worries about potential interruptions to SASSA’s services and grant disbursements this November.

What is SITA and what is its role? 

SITA represents an agency of the South African government dedicated to providing information technology and telecommunication services to government institutions. The workforce at SITA oversees the essential IT infrastructure and systems that enable government departments like SASSA to cater to citizens and facilitate payments.

Why are SITA employees engaging in a strike? 

On the 17th of October 2025, numerous SITA employees, represented by the Public Servants Association (PSA), initiated an indefinite nationwide strike. The employees are demanding a 7.5% salary increase, effective from April 2025. In contrast, SITA has only proposed a 5% increment so far. 

Following unsuccessful wage negotiations, PSA members voted to continue the strike until their salary demands are met. PSA has cautioned that the SITA strike might significantly impact service delivery for crucial government departments such as SASSA, Home Affairs, and Border Management.

What are the demands of the striking SITA employees? 

The striking PSA members are urging SITA management to enhance their salary offer to a 7.5% increase, as opposed to the currently proposed 5%. The PSA has declared that the members will persist with the strike until their demands are fulfilled.

Has the government responded to the strike? 

PSA appealed to Minister Mondli Gungubele to intervene and compel SITA to meet the employees’ demands. Nevertheless, Minister Gungubele declined, stating that the issue falls beyond his jurisdiction as a labor dispute. 

Gungubele acknowledged the right of SITA employees to strike but urged all parties to swiftly seek a resolution before services are disrupted. The Ministry cannot directly interfere in the negotiations as it concerns matters between employers and employees.

What are the risks associated with the SITA strike for SASSA? 

A prolonged SITA strike poses a substantial threat to SASSA’s service delivery. As the agency responsible for IT systems supporting social grants, a SITA shutdown might hinder SASSA from processing and disbursing grants to millions. 

PSA negotiators cautioned that without SITA staff managing networks and infrastructure, SASSA systems could encounter outages and malfunctions, potentially depriving grant beneficiaries of their monthly income until the strike is resolved.

Instances of Past SASSA Payment Disruptions

SASSA services have faced disruptions previously:

  • In September 2025, a technical issue during Postbank’s system migration left numerous SASSA pensioners unable to access their funds for that month.
  • In February 2022, an overloaded SASSA system crashed, preventing grant applicants from submitting applications online.
  • In April 2020, social grant payments were delayed for several days after SASSA staff expressed concerns about safety risks during Level 5 lockdown.

Could the SITA Strike Lead to November 2025 SASSA Payment Delays? 

A prolonged SITA strike stretching into late October and November could give rise to significant concerns regarding possible payment delays or system breakdowns. While SASSA has not released any official warnings about grant payment disruptions, if SITA staff continue their strike through early November, the probability of payment issues rises. 

Minister Gungubele’s urgent calls for a resolution emphasize the apprehension that critical SASSA systems might become vulnerable if the SITA strike persists. Considering that over 18 million South Africans depend on social grants, any disruption to the November payment cycle would have severe human repercussions.

What Measures Can SASSA Beneficiaries Take?

 Currently, the SITA strike has not impacted SASSA services or grant payments. Nonetheless, beneficiaries concerned about potential disruptions can:

  • Directly reach out to SASSA via phone, email, or social media to inquire about updates on the strike and November payments.
  • Frequently check the SASSA website and official social media pages for notifications regarding service alterations.
  • Ensure that their cell phone numbers are updated in their SASSA account to receive SMS notifications if payments are delayed.
  • Verify that their bank account details are accurate to avoid grant returns if payments are processed.
  • Seek assistance from community support groups and legal aid centers if payments are disrupted.

Although the SITA strike brings uncertainties about SASSA’s ability to uphold seamless services, officials are working diligently to mitigate potential impacts on social grant recipients this November. However, if SITA staff persist with the strike during the payment period, substantial risks of disruption remain. Beneficiaries worried about their grants should actively monitor news about the strike negotiations and prepare contingency plans in case of payment delays.