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During a joint portfolio committee meeting on Tuesday, Minister for Communication and Digital Technology, Minister Solly Malatsi, made it clear that no social grant will be stopped as a result of the SASSA and Postbank card renewal crisis as additional interventions such as cardless cash withdrawal service, similar to an Ewallet service, is being introduced to Postbank clients.

This reassurance upholds citizens’ constitutional right of access to social grants and will ensure dignity of the most vulnerable citizens are preserved.

During this meeting between SASSA, Postbank, and Ministers Tolashe and Malatsi raised critical concerns regarding the card swop debacle. Beneficiaries have been sent from pillar to post, enduring long queues and confusion while attempting to access their new cards.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) called for daily updates on the number of cards issued per province, as well as the locations of all active distribution sites and mobile offices to ensure that interventions are being effectively implemented.

SASSA and Postbank’s poor coordination has led to a failure to meet expectations. The fact that there are only 16 distribution sites in the Western Cape, far fewer than the planned 27, highlights serious logistical failures.

As of February 12, only 536 427 cards have been issued, leaving over 2.4 million beneficiaries still without their cards. With the March deadline rapidly approaching, this situation is creating unnecessary stress and uncertainty for vulnerable citizens who rely on these grants for survival.

While Minister Tolashe attempts to absolve herself of responsibility, it is clear that SASSA, as a service provider and entity for the Department of Social Development, should have intervened much earlier when it became apparent that Postbank was falling short. Why did SASSA only begin using the SOCPEN system after the February 7 meeting, and why was this solution not implemented sooner?

The DA welcomes SASSA’s ongoing efforts to support beneficiaries, whom have chosen to switch their payment method to a commercial bank of their choice, by extending weekday hours and weekends to expedite the capturing process.

We also commend local DA Councillors for stepping up and providing support to vulnerable citizens by availing community halls, inviting banks, and empowering residents to choose their service provider as per Social Assistance Act regulation 23 updated in May 2022.

The DA will also call for follow up joint committee meeting between the Ministries of Social Development and Communications, where both Ministers, along with representatives from SASSA and Postbank, will appear.

We will continue to demand detailed information and timelines on the card swop process, as well as a clear contingency plan for beneficiaries still struggling to access their grants. We insist that this meeting convenes before the 20 March deadline to ensure structural oversight and accountability in addressing this urgent matter.

The DA will continue to hold SASSA and Postbank accountable for their failures in ensuring beneficiaries can access their grants uninterrupted. We will not allow the government to place the blame on beneficiaries for a crisis that was entirely preventable caused by poor planning, lack of communication, and a failure to act swiftly.

Immediate action is required to ensure that all beneficiaries receive their grants, and that a clear plan is in place for those still struggling with the card swop process.

Issued by the Democratic Alliance