STARVATION is the consequence expected as a result of the March 20 deadline to migrate from the South African Social Security Agency’s gold card to the Postbank black card, which authorities have confirmed will go ahead as planned despite having only reached 1.1 million, with 1.5 million people still outstanding.
Sassa pays out 19 million grants, with 15% of the cohort paid by Postbank, which translates to 2.6 million that had to swap cards that were using the yellow gold card.
At a briefing on Monday, Postbank chief executive Nikki Mbengashe warned that social grant recipients who fail to switch to the new card must not attempt to use the old card after the deadline, as it will not work at all.
“We are at 46% of the total number of beneficiaries that swapped with us. We have a deadline of the 20th of March 2025. There has been some confusion around it but the deadline means that the Sassa gold card will no longer be working. We are pleading with all the beneficiaries to not attempt to use this card after March 20 to access their grants," she said.
Mbengashe said that even though the bank account number linked to the card will not change, beneficiaries will not be able to use the old cards after Thursday.
In the Western Cape, only 37% out of 297 000 customers had been switched so far. “We have 27 active sites. The challenge in the Western Cape has been about resources for the sites. We have deployed resources from other regions to assist. We are also beginning to activate Spars. In the Western Cape, 68% in the City of Cape Town. We’ve also deployed our roving teams to Bellville, Strand,” said Postbank chief operating officer, Eurekha Singh said.
Non profit organisation, Black Sash raised concerns over the ongoing challenges many vulnerable beneficiaries are facing in accessing their grants. Issues include inaccessible replacement sites, payment failures, and post office closures.
“While Postbank and SASSA have communicated that card replacements will continue beyond this date, we are worried that many beneficiaries, particularly the elderly, those living in remote areas, and those facing physical or economic barriers, may still be left without the means to access their grants on time. Sadly, the replacement process continues to be plagued by several challenges which Black Sash and our partners have witnessed first-hand on the ground,” said Black Sash spokesperson, Oliver Meth.
According to the organisation, communication and access to Postbank card replacement sites have been a major challenge, with those selected by Postbank not necessarily reflecting where SASSA card holders live and even accessing information to your ‘closest’ site has been plagued by inaccurate information.
“Non/short payments on the SASSA SDA/gold cards. Despite swapping their SASSA gold cards well in advance, many beneficiaries have not received their grants or full value of their grants, leaving them without essential funds for food, transport, and medical care. This failure has caused immense hardship, particularly for pensioners, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups who depend on these payments for survival,” said Meth.
A Manenberg resident who asked to remain anonymous said most of the community members opted to swap to private banks because they were more accessible, as they came out to various areas, amid fears of the deadline looming.
“It just wasn’t accessible to switch to the black card. You were only able to do it at Boxer Mitchells Plan, Gugulethu, Checkers Parow and people couldn’t get there. Many went to Thyme bank because it was easier to get to Pick n pay. Others also resorted to other banks who came out to the community because the queues at the sites were just too long. Because the yellow card expiry date was only 2027, that’s also where the confusion came in because people thought their card would be valid until then. Banks are still coming to the area.”
Cry of the Xcluded activist, Motsi Khokhoma said that the switch over had been tough on the ground, with long lines witnessed daily.
“It is sickening, on a daily basis people are there. Here in Botsabelo, Free State there is only one office in the whole township of 13 to 14 sections, and when I talk about a section it has more than 4000 households. Old people, young people, earning money for kids. People are going to starve. There is no industry here, no work so people are dependent on that grant,” he said.
Cape Times