Fake SASSA Partners Exposed: Ubuntu Life Scrambles After Misleading Beneficiaries
Grant-reliant South Africans got a huge sigh of relief this week—after it was confirmed that Ubuntu Life, a company falsely branding itself alongside SASSA, has now removed its name from vehicles and payment cards.
It was an unsettling moment for many SASSA beneficiaries when cards started circulating with Ubuntu Life’s name proudly plastered alongside the government’s official brand. It sparked confusion, mistrust—and a rapid response from SASSA itself.
On Tuesday, 22 July, the agency made it crystal clear: Ubuntu Life is not one of us. SASSA is not affiliated with, partnered to, or contracted by Ubuntu Life in any way whatsoever. No connection. No contract. No excuses.
“We had an engagement with them,” said Paseka Letsatsi, spokesperson for SASSA. “They were using our name and logo on cars—that’s unauthorised. We told them to remove it. They did.”
But it didn’t stop at the vehicles. The cards given to vulnerable grant recipients also had “SASSA” on them, suggesting legitimacy. Ubuntu Life has now apparently removed the SASSA name from those cards too.
“I said if that is the case, I’m happy,” Letsatsi said.
Ubuntu Life, however, seems to have gone silent after the fallout. According to Daily Sun, repeated attempts to get a comment from the company were ignored.
This incident adds to growing fears over the exploitation of vulnerable communities through false representation and slick marketing. SASSA, in turn, is urging all South Africans to stay vigilant and verify anything that looks suspicious.
No private company is authorised to distribute or manage SASSA grants. If someone shows up claiming they do—it's a red flag.
So what happens now? Well, SASSA beneficiaries can breathe a little easier knowing the impostor branding has been stripped away, but questions remain. Who allowed this to happen? And how many people were caught in the confusion?
As for SASSA—they’ve promised to stay on high alert and are urging the public to report any misuse of their name, logo, or branding immediately.
South Africa’s grant system remains a critical lifeline for millions. And trust in that system can’t be for sale—especially to companies operating without any formal mandate.
Have you ever received suspicious grant-related communication or cards? Let us know in the comments or vote in our poll below.
PINNED COMMENT
Have you been misled by any financial services company claiming to work with SASSA? Drop your story below or vote in the poll.
POLL
Do you trust third-party services claiming to work with SASSA?
🔘 Yes
🔘 No
🔘 Only when verified by SASSA
~BILLY JAYDEN LOUIS
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