Minister of Social Development Dina Pule informed parliament in a written response that SASSA has significant unpaid rent for offices across the country, including over 16.5 million rand for the national records management centre.
This information was disclosed after a Democratic Alliance (DA) MP, Bridget Masango, requested details on the buildings occupied by the agency, the reasons for late payments, and the total amount of arrears.
Pule specified that SASSA has outstanding rental payments in seven different offices, with the largest sum pertaining to the national records management centre.
R16.5 million debt at the national centre
The debt at the national centre amounts to R16.5 million. Payments were not made for three months due to the absence of a valid lease agreement, and this matter is currently in litigation.
The Minister noted that the agency awaits the outcomes of legal proceedings and any related directives before it can take further steps regarding rent payment.
Offices in KwaZulu-Natal also affected
In the KwaZulu-Natal province, the debt amounted to R120,761.52 at the Dukusa service point, and R503,469.87 at the New Hanover local office. Additionally, the Lamontville service point accumulated a debt of R69,431.95, and the Umnini service point had a debt of R439,704.85.
According to Pule, these unpaid amounts are linked to disagreements over lease agreements and municipal billing. In Dukusa, Lamontville, and Umnini, municipalities billed SASSA based on outdated agreements while new terms were still being negotiated.
A separate dispute arose at the New Hanover local office with the uMswati municipality regarding billing tariffs and unratified invoices concerning the expansion of the Tsong service centre. This dispute has been ongoing for three years, and the debt dates back to September 2023.
At the Fraserburg office in the Karoo Highland local municipality, a debt of R10,000 remained after the lease expired in December 2025; a new lease agreement was sent to the municipality for signing.
The Nebo local office also had a debt of R235,018.62. Pule reported that the contract was formalized with the assistance of the provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, and SASSA received the signed agreement in February 2026.
The Minister also emphasized that the relevant landlords have been notified of the payment delays and the reasons for these delays. Furthermore, SASSA has developed automated alerts that trigger 12 months before the contract expires to initiate the renewal process.