Staff Reporter.
South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says a technical glitch which intermittently affected withdrawals on Tuesday had been resolved for all ATM and Post Office branch transactions.
The technical glitch affected thousands of pensioners across the country without their grants over the past two days.
Human Rights Organisation Black Sash said many beneficiaries had been forced to stay overnight at payment sites because they could not afford to travel twice.
“SASSA has a duty to keep beneficiaries properly informed as well as aiding beneficiaries who will now sleep on pavements because they cannot afford to go home. We are witnessing beneficiaries moving from one ATM to another, desperately trying to access their grants.” Black Sash said the Minister of Social Development and SASSA must urgently deal with technical challenges with SAPO and Postbank.
The DA’s social development spokesperson, Alexandra Abrahams, said it was “worrying” as Tuesday was allocated for the payment of old age grants, yet many seniors were forced to return home empty-handed after queuing for hours in the wind, rain and cold.
“Wednesday is allocated for disability grants, and all indications are that the glitches are persisting, and people are unable to access their funds.
“We call on the minister of social development, to ensure that the problem is immediately fixed to ensure that already vulnerable individuals aren’t plunged deeper into crisis, “she said.
In a statement this afternoon, SASSA it acknowledges notice from the Postbank regarding resumption of payment withdrawals or transactions following technical challenges experienced by social grant clients on payment days on 5 and 6 September 2023.
“Clients can now enjoy the use of the SASSA/PostBank cards to make purchases and payments,” it said.
It explains that clients using the SASSA Postbank Gold Card could not make withdrawals or transact at ATMs and various retailers (other than Postbank points-of-sale), even though SASSA had made payments for the clients’ accounts.
“The technical challenges only affected clients who were using the SASSA Postbank Gold Card. Other clients, who were receiving grants at various pay points or other banks (except Postbank) were not affected and were able to withdraw their payments.
“SASSA clients can make use of the alternative methods of payment available to receive their grants through various banks or retailers.”
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.