South Africans are urged to be cautious after a fake message claiming that a new “R3,500 monthly pension” will begin on 10 November 2025 started circulating widely on WhatsApp and Facebook this week.
The hoax post — shared together with edited images of elderly citizens holding cash — falsely suggests that government has introduced a new pension programme. The message is linked to a suspicious website, gcce2024.co.za, which impersonates official communication.
Official SASSA Warning
On 12 November, SASSA issued a firm statement on its verified Facebook page, warning the public not to engage with the false post.
“Please note that the below information is fake and does not come from SASSA.”
— SASSA, Department of Social Development
The department also labelled the claim as #FakeNews, stressing that no such pension increase or new grant exists.
No R3,500 Pension Announced
According to SASSA and the Department of Social Development:
- There is no new R3,500 pension.
- No changes have been announced to the existing Old Age Grant.
- No new applications or dates are linked to the viral message.
- The circulating WhatsApp post is not from SASSA.
Why These Scams Spread
Fake grant announcements are a common tactic used by scammers to trick people into:
- Sharing personal details
- Paying “registration” or “administration” fees
- Clicking unsafe links
- Submitting documents to fraudulent websites
These scams can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and exposure of sensitive information.
How to Stay Safe
SASSA urges the public to:
- Delete the message immediately
- Avoid clicking suspicious links
- Only rely on SASSA’s official website or verified social media accounts
- Report suspicious posts to your nearest SASSA office
If you are unsure whether a message is real, always check directly with SASSA before taking any action.
