The screws are being tightened on the practice of deducting funeral cover premiums from the accounts of government social grant beneficiaries.
All unauthorised funeral cover deductions have been stopped by the South African Social Security Agency.
Beneficiaries have been urged to make other payment arrangements or to notify Sassa in writing about premiums coming off their Sassa accounts.
This follows an amendment to the Social Assistance Act of 2004 which, said Sassa spokesman Kgomoco Diseko, was a necessary and responsible step by the Department of Social Development.
"Many beneficiaries have complained about deductions made without their knowledge," he said.
