Meet the SASSA CEO who earns at least R183 000 a month

While beneficiaries are struggling to get through the month, the same can’t be said for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mr Matsobane Themba Matlou makes over R2 million a year.

An impressive salary for the man at the helm.

SASSA CEO

Cabinet appointed Matlou to be CEO of SASSA on 1 July 2025.

Before getting the role at SASSA, Matlou had “25 years of public service experience” according to his profile on the agency’s website.

He had served the agency in many senior leadership roles.

These include serving as the Acting CEO and Regional Executive Manager in five provinces, before getting the top job.

Part of landing the job is earning an amazing salary.

Matlou, who is in top management, earns at least R2 198 847 a year.

He isn’t alone in earning the big bucks.

Eight others share in the R19.7 million budgeted for top management salaries.

They are also part of the 663 employees at SASSA who earn more than R1 million.

According to the agency’s reporting, the next highest-paid employees are in senior management and earn R1.34 million a year.

As of 2025, 192 people earn this amount.

Those in the “professional qualified” category earn R1.01 million a year.

Recent reporting shows 462 people earn this amount.

Comparing Incomes

With a R2.1 million yearly income, Matlou and others in top management earn R183 237 a month.

Single parents who receive a child support grant can’t earn more than R69 600 a year, or R5 800 a month.

Matlou makes 31 times more than they do.

Married parents can’t earn more than R139 200 a year.

Matlou makes more in a month than they do in a year.

But it’s not only the chief executive who’s cashing in at the agency.

Those who work at the head office earn a pretty penny; their average income is R758 837.

The agency spends R298 million a year paying these people.

SASSA’s Provincial Incomes

Those in provincial offices don’t make as much, but they still make more than the average South African.

In the Eastern Cape, SASSA employees earn on average R462 663 a year (R38 555 a month).

According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), more people in the Eastern Cape receive a grant than earn an income.

Those who want to make this kind of money will be pleased to know the agency also has plenty of roles to fill.

At the end of the 2024 – 2025 period, they still had 3 996 roles to fill.