PRESSURE has forced the South African Social Security Agency to extend date for card replacement.
This follows the mayhem and anxiety by recipients on replacing their gold cards to black, nationally.
The deadline was originally February 28, but has since been extended to March 20, 2025.
Today, Communications and Digital Technologies Ministry spokesperson Kwena Moloto confirmed the deadline extension.
“We have listened to the deep concerns and frustrations of our social grant beneficiaries, and we trust that this extension will provide much-needed time for grant recipients.
“We strongly encourage our beneficiaries to make sure that they change to the black Postbank card as soon as they can, and well ahead of the March 20 deadline. We want to emphasise that grant payments will continue as usual, even after the March 20 deadline.”
There has been confusion amongst SASSA and its distribution partners Pic n Pay, Boxers and Post Bank, on swapping of new black cards.
Last week, in Alexandra, a stone-throw away from Sandton, frustrated pensioners queued long at Alex Mall, after Pic n Pay at Alex Pan did not provide services. They had to use little resources to get themselves to Alex Mall.
With the soaring heat- it took four hours to service those pensioners of which it eventually happened, although some of the staff members began complaining bitterly.
A staff member at PostBank who is not authorised to speak to the press, confirmed “we’re overwhelmed. We’ve spent sleepless nights trying to see how we overcome this major stumbling block”.
“To make sure that we are able to assist beneficiaries in swapping their cards as efficiently as possible, our departments and entities are working together to add more human capacity and are working with retailers to increase the number of sites across the country,” says Moloto.
Moloto also said mobile offices will also be dispatched to focus on rural areas and ensure that as many people as possible are assisted.
“We will monitor the process closely and will receive daily updates as to how the process is going so that we are able to respond quickly to any further issues that may arise.”
He adds that the March 20 deadline marks the date when the SASSA Gold Cards will stop working, not the last day to apply for the new card.
“After March 20, beneficiaries will still be able to apply for and receive their Postbank black cards. We are also working with community leaders and local authorities to share clear information and offer assistance where needed.
“Making sure that beneficiaries are able to swap their old gold SASSA cards as easily as possible is our priority, and we will update the public regularly.”
This will serve as good news to all recipients who have not swapped his/her new black card, countrywide.
