Some South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) beneficiaries revealed on Thursday, 20 March that they were unhappy with switching their cards because they queued for the second consecutive day without assistance.
SASSA RECIPIENTS LIVID?
South African pensioner, Eric Croy told EWN on Thursday, 20 March that he was unhappy with queuing for his new Sassa Postbank black card for the second consecutive day without assistance.
“I’ve been queuing here since 05h45 today [Thursday] and I was here at 05h45 yesterday [Wednesday] as well. When I was number 50 in the row, they closed the door at 4pm. That’s absolutely nonsense.”
Social grant beneficiaries were informed to migrate their gold cards to the new Postbank black cards as they will not be able to use their old cards from Friday, 21 March.
The publication also revealed in February 2025 that gold card holders can replace their cards at no cost at retailers such as Checkers, Usave, Boxer, Pick n Pay and Shoprite. Beneficiaries are required to bring their ID or temporary ID to replace their old cards.
Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe said during a media briefing that the transition from Sassa gold cards to Postbank black cards was necessary to prevent fraud and ensure greater security for social grant beneficiaries,
GOLD CARDS DEADLINE
Ground Up revealed earlier in March that nearly 1.9 million SASSA gold card holders still need to switch to the Postbank black card before the 20 March deadline.
Postbank’s Chief Operating Officer, Eurekha Singh said that there’s no intention to extend the deadline though completing the transition from the gold card to Postbank’s black card before the 20 March deadline is unlikely.
“That is not within our control, so the card replacement must be completed by 31 March. We’ve set a deadline of 20 March because we must submit evidence to the Reserve Bank that the Gold Cards are out of circulation by 31 March,” he said.
Singh also clarified that SASSA beneficiaries will still be able to access their grants through the Post Office and through cardless cash withdrawals at retailers after the 20 March deadline
Postbank began the process of replacing SASSA gold cards with the new Postbank black cards in September 2024.
HAVE YOU SWAPPED YOUR SASSA GOLD CARD YET?
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