Sassa beneficiaries receive extension to apply for new cards  

Kwatsaduza – Queues at Sassa offices have decreased after the March 20 announcement. For weeks, Sassa beneficiaries have scrambled to get the new black Postbank cards to replace their gold Sassa cards.

The government postponed the deadline for swapping gold Sassa cards for the new black Postbank cards to March 20.

This follows concerns raised by recipients who could not meet the initial deadline of February 28. In Kwa-Thema, community leader Saki Kgapola Nxumalo said many pensioners went to the Kwa-Thema office multiple times and still had no cards.

“I was here three times in two weeks. We did not get help because they told us the line would be cut off after they catered to a certain number.

“This did not make sense because they could see the deadline was looming,” he said.

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi and Social Development minister Nokuzola Tolashe announced the extension in a joint statement.

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They assured grant payments would remain uninterrupted beyond the new deadline.

To assist beneficiaries in efficiently swapping their cards, we collaborate across departments and retailers to expand support nationwide.

“We will also dispatch mobile offices to focus on rural areas and to assist as many people as possible.”

The ministers assured they would monitor the process closely and provide regular updates to address issues. On the March 20 deadline, the old gold Sassa cards would stop working, but beneficiaries can still apply for and receive the new black Postbank cards after this date.

They stated they are collaborating with community leaders and local authorities to disseminate clear information and provide assistance.

Shoprite Kwa-Thema Junction can also assist Sassa beneficiaries with the card swap.

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