PARLIAMENT DELIBERATES ON SASSA CARD REPLACEMENT PROCESS

By Precious Mupenzi

• The parliamentary portfolio on social development today discussed the difficulties many social grant beneficiaries are facing in swapping their old gold cards for new black Postbank cards.
• The committee heard of long queues and technical issues, with some beneficiaries forced to wait for hours – even overnight – without receiving assistance due to slow systems.
• The Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, assured the committee her department would cooperate fully to alleviate the pressure and address the concerns raised.

Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe addressed the ongoing concerns over the transition from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold cards to the new Postbank black cards during a session of the portfolio committee on social development held in Parliament, Cape Town, on 26 February 2025.

The deadline for beneficiaries to replace their old cards has been extended to 20 March 2025, but challenges continue to impact vulnerable citizens.

Minister Tolashe acknowledged the difficulties beneficiaries face during the card replacement process, particularly the long waits and technical issues that have caused frustration.

She stressed the importance of offering beneficiaries a choice in how they receive their payments.

However, she also noted the ongoing issue of being unable to provide the necessary cards. “The only shortcoming of that is that we are unable to provide cards, which is what is important for now, because we can’t get the cards,” she explained.

Chairperson of the portfolio committee on social development Bridgette Masango voiced concern over the delays in the card replacement process and the impact it is having on vulnerable citizens, particularly the elderly and the poor.

She highlighted the struggles many individuals face, with some forced to wait for hours – even overnight – without receiving assistance due to slow systems.

Masango emphasised the need for accountability from Postbank and the necessity of robust oversight to ensure proper service delivery.

“We need this information … it will help us oversee the work being done in service to the vulnerable and the poor,” she remarked, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency from Postbank.

In the session, committee members shared alarming first-hand accounts of the struggles beneficiaries had faced.

One member recounted the plight of elderly individuals who waited as early as 1am, only to be assisted in very small numbers – 13 people over a three-hour period – due to technical issues.

Some were forced to spend the night in line, without food, only to be turned away without receiving assistance that day.

The speaker called for urgent intervention, criticising Postbank for its lack of preparedness and the apparent lack of empathy for vulnerable citizens, especially those facing health challenges like dementia and cancer.

Other members stressed the urgent need to address the hardships of individuals with limited mobility, who endure long waits in queues, further highlighting the critical mandate of the department to deliver services to those in need.

They reiterated that social grants are a lifeline for many, with one member emphasising that this department is “close to God” in its responsibility to the nation’s most vulnerable.

Minister Tolashe, while acknowledging the severity of the situation, reiterated her commitment to resolving the challenges and ensuring beneficiaries receive their grants without disruption.

She assured the committee that her department would cooperate fully to alleviate the pressure and address the concerns raised. “We will work together and cooperate in anything that you want us to do just for us to ease the pressure,” she affirmed.

The deliberations today highlighted the urgent need for improved systems, better communication, and greater accountability to ensure that vulnerable South Africans are not further disadvantaged in the process of card replacement.