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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Postbank briefed the Standing Committee on Social Development to provide an update on the chaotic migration process from Gold Cards to Postbank Black Cards. This presentation offered an overview of the card replacement process, outlined the challenges faced, and highlighted the interventions implemented to ensure a smoother transition for beneficiaries.

A key issue raised during the presentation was the shortage of Postbank service points in the Western Cape, which has significantly impacted the migration process. Postbank sites across the entire province. As the Chairperson for Social Development, I have continuously raised concerns about this challenge since the announcement of the migration deadline.

Postbank acknowledged that it became aware of this problem through media reports from the Western Cape, which highlighted the difficulties beneficiaries have been experiencing in accessing service points.

We appreciate Postbank’s openness to engage with us on this matter. It is clear that one of the main challenges they face is resourcing, particularly in retaining staff to work at the service points. The situation has been exacerbated by incidents of staff being threatened or robbed in certain areas, which has led to resignations and the closure of some sites.

Currently, there are limited active sites where beneficiaries can go to replace their cards, including selected locations across major retail outlets such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, and Usave, as well as roving teams who are deployed to areas without fixed service points. A full list of active sites can be found below. Only 20 sites have been made available to process the migration. An additional 16 have been identified to help ease the workload, but those sites have yet to be confirmed.

While the Western Cape has made progress, with 77,932 cards issued out of 322,919 beneficiaries, this represents only 24% of the total, compared to a national average of 30%. We are encouraged by Postbank's commitment to gradually expand service points across the province; however, we remain concerned about the pace at which this expansion is occurring, with only 3,500 cards being issued daily. At this rate it would take more than three months to process all switchovers with less only 16 days left before the deadline.

We have urged SASSA and Postbank to keep us informed of the active sites and provide a clear schedule for the roving teams to ensure that beneficiaries in underserved areas are not left behind. We further call on SASSA and Postbank to work together more effectively and efficiently, this is not a one sided issue cause this is the lifeline for many vulnerable individuals and communities.

In the meantime, Postbank has confirmed that it will not be extending the 20 March 2025 deadline for card replacements. However, Postbank has assured us that cardless withdrawal options will be available for beneficiaries who have not received their Black Cards by the deadline.

Beneficiaries can register for the cardless option at any service point, which will allow them to continue accessing their grants.

Wendy Kaizer-Philander said: “The DA in the Western Cape encourages beneficiaries to consider alternative options for receiving their grant payments, such as having their grants paid directly into their bank accounts. Beneficiaries who wish to make this change are advised to visit their nearest SASSA office for assistance or nearest DA councillors in your area. The DA has already assisted over 17 000 beneficiaries in making the change to private bank accounts, and will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that our most vulnerable are not left in the lurch.

The DA in Western Cape emphasize the urgency of SASSA and Postbank collaboration to uphold the dignity and well-being of millions of South Africans who depend on these grants. By working together effectively, SASSA and Postbank can restore confidence in the system, eliminate unnecessary hardships, and ensure that every beneficiary receives their payments without disruption. We trust that both institutions will act with urgency, transparency, and commitment to the people they serve.

Let us move forward together in the spirit of partnership and social responsibility, ensuring that no beneficiary is left behind.

Active Postbank Card Replacement Sites (Western Cape):

Pick n Pay Parow

Shoprite Parow

Boxer Philippi

Usave Bellville

Shoprite Bayside Mall

Shoprite Thembalethu

Shoprite Eesteriver

Shoprite Gugulethu

Shoprite Khayelitsha

Shoprite Vredenburg

Shoprite Strand

Shoprite Adderley

Boxer Mitchell’s Plain

Shoprite George

PnP Paarl

PnP Vangate

PnP Mitchell’s Plain

Shoprite Worcester

Roving Team-1

Roving Team-2

Issued by Wendy Kaizer-Philander MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Social Development