Johannesburg – As the 20 March deadline for the switch from South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) gold cards to Postbank black cards rapidly approaches, concerns are mounting over the potential for widespread disruption to grant payments.
While Postbank has assured the public that all beneficiaries will continue to receive their grants after the deadline, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has strongly criticised the state-owned bank, stating it lacks a coherent plan to manage the card replacement process.
The looming deadline has raised the question: Is Sassa heading for another crisis?
Tolashe voiced her frustrations following a recent inspection of Postbank offices in Grabouw and Paarl in the Western Cape. Her observations painted a picture of disorganisation and inefficiency.
"Even around town, they are so scattered. If not, their tellers have no clue of what they are doing. If they do, their system provides 12 cards in four hours," the minister said, describing the situation as "nothing short of a crisis."
"It's a crisis because, as we indicated in our last meeting, there seems to be no plan," Tolashe stated, highlighting the lack of a clear strategy to ensure a smooth transition for grant recipients.
Postbank had initially pledged to establish numerous sites to assist beneficiaries when the card migration process commenced six months ago. However, the reality on the ground appears to fall far short of this promise.
Adding to the uncertainty, Sassa spokesman Paseka Letsatsi expressed his anxiety about meeting the deadline during a radio interview on 28 February.
"I'm very anxious, I must confess," he said, acknowledging the challenges facing the card replacement programme.
Despite his concerns, Letsatsi reassured the public that grant recipients would receive their payments in March. However, he cautioned that those who have not switched to the black cards by the deadline would not receive their grants in April through their usual channels.
"But the money will be in their accounts. They'll only be able to get it at the Post Office. We don't want people to go there because they will be squashed," Letsatsi explained, anticipating potential overcrowding at Post Office branches.
To mitigate this, Letsatsi said Postbank has introduced a "cashless withdrawal" system, similar to a cash send or e-wallet service. This alternative method aims to provide beneficiaries with a convenient way to access their funds without relying solely on the physical cards.
Despite the looming deadline and the minister's concerns, Khusela Sangoni Diko, chairwoman of the Portfolio Committee on Communication and Digital Technologies, offered a more optimistic outlook. She stated that Postbank has committed to continuing the card swap process until every beneficiary has been assisted.
Whether this commitment will be enough to avert a crisis remains to be seen. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Postbank can effectively manage the card replacement process and ensure that millions of vulnerable Zimbabweans continue to receive their vital social grants without interruption.
