SASSA beneficiaries "suffering" in queues trying to swap to Postbank cards - Social Grant Activist

702 and CapeTalk's Africa Melane speaks to Social Grant activist, Elizabeth Raiters.

Holders of the SASSA Gold Card have until 20 March to switch to the new Postbank Black Card.

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi, and Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe say the decision was made after listening to the concerns of beneficiaries, and taking into account the challenges faced during the swap process.

However, card members still trying to make the swap have been standing in queues outside outlets offering the card-switching service.

Reports from selected card-switching venues have said card holders are arriving as early as 1am, while some people have slept over at venues to get their cards switched successfully.

Postbank venues and staff are estimated to assist 100 people per day, which is dependent on whether the service's network systems are working and not offline, leaving people in the queue for the next day, Raiters explains. 

Some reports describe scenes from selected card-switching venues as "dire," echoes Melane as there are "not enough staff, outlets or machinery needed to effect the switch-over before 20 March."

"This is why we called for a three-month extension... it would've been much better if it was three months, but this extension is less than a month, which I don't think is viable and I think some beneficiaries will still be sitting with their SASSA Gold Cards."

- Elizabeth Raiters, Social Grant Activist

Raiters adds, "This was unfortunately brought to the attention of the Minister, but it looks like Postbank has not taken the necessary precautions to increase staff or venues for beneficiaries to have access to change their SASSA Gold Card to the Postbank Black Card."

Not being able to switch over to Postbank Black Cards by the 20 March deadline means beneficiaries will not get their grant money, which will be detrimental for those depending on it, believes Raiters. 

"For a beneficiary to go a whole month without their SASSA grant, I think that will be devastating and I think a lot of people will go hungry," adds Raiters. 

Raiters explains that she works with beneficiaries all over South Africa, and this process has been very difficult for them.

"My phone has been buzzing non-stop, some beneficiaries will go to these retailers, but live far from these retailers, some are sleeping outside of the premises just so they can be assisted... so it's actually very unfortunate that beneficiaries have to suffer this way."

- Elizabeth Raiters, Social Grant Activist

Raiters calls on the Minister to consider making Postbank services closer to where beneficiaries live, and to grant another extension. 

RELATED:

Postbank says 20 March final deadline extension to swap Sassa gold cards for black cards

Spar helps distribute Postbank Black Cards: 'We can ensure people get serviced in a dignified environment' – SASSA

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