A glitch in the system left many social grant beneficiaries across the country empty-handed when they attempted to withdraw their money from various pay points using the new South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cards.
The swop from old to new cards took place last month with the aim of helping beneficiaries collect their money from a cash point and receive electronic bank services.
But teething problems with the new system left thousands of grant recipients angry and confused. Some had used their last funds to go to withdraw the money.
The swop is in accordance with a service agreement between Sassa and the South African Post Office (SAPO), via Postbank, to take over the payment of social grants from service provider Cash Paymaster Services (CPS).
Vukani was contacted by three Khayelitsha pensioners who said for two days they could not get their money and had not been given a proper explanation by Sassa officials.
Nontuthuzelo Qiqimana said she woke up at 5am to go and withdraw the money but was shocked to find she had insufficient funds in her account.
The 66-year-old said when she inquired about this matter from the Sassa officials, she was told to go to the post office or Shoprite.
But she said when she got there she was still informed that she had insufficient funds.
She said she had no idea how she was going to pay for her grandchild’s transport fees.
Ms Qiqimana said she also supports her daughter who only has part-time employment as a domestic worker.
She was also worried about making the payment for her funeral policy, fearing that it would be difficult to catch up if she fell behind.
She said when she was still using the old Sassa cards she never experienced such problems.
Ms Qiqimana accused the staff and officials of Sassa of being rude and not providing adequate help with their queries.
“We are not told why we cannot get our monies. We have been sent from pillar to post without anyone giving us clear direction. Some of us are solely dependent on this money.
“I have now idea now where will I get money to buy food. Every time I think about this I just get a headache. We are helpless pensioners who are depending on this money,” he said.
Sassa admitted to experiencing problems in paying a portion of its beneficiaries since July 1.
Sassa pays over 12 million beneficiaries a month and about 700 000 of them are using the new card.
Shivani Wahab, senior manager for communications and marketing, said on Monday that R746 million of the R1 billion it was supposed to pay in July had been received by beneficiaries.
This, she said, means that just over 72% of payments have been made since all the technical glitches had been sorted out.
The remaining 28% are mainly people who don’t rush to withdraw their money on the first week of the month and they won’t have any problems withdrawing their money, she said.
Ms Wahab said the frustrations at the beginning of the month coincided with the Sassa strike which had the potential of exacerbating the situation.
“Sassa has to phase out Cash Paymaster Services by the end of September.
“Beneficiaries should ensure that by the end of August, they have acquired the new Sassa card because the old one is expiring in September.
“The new Sassa card is an improvement of the old card and it does not allow deductions for things such as airtime, loans or prepaid electricity. This new card also allows three free cash withdrawals at points of sale, one free withdrawal at the post office per month, free swipes at points of sale and is accepted by all ATMs,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Nodoli Violino Maqakaza, 78, said they opted to turn to the media with the hope that they could get assistance.
She said they wanted to voice their anger and frustration.