By: Natasha Archary

Thousands of pensioners and disability grant beneficiaries were left stranded on Tuesday, 05 September due to a technical glitch which meant they did not receive their SASSA grants.
Issuing an apology, both Postbank and SASSA said they will advise all grant beneficiaries when the technical issue is resolved.
According to the Postbank, there were intermittent issues which meant beneficiaries were unable to withdraw their funds from ATMS, and could not swipe the cards at stores either.
This meant scores of pensioners were left empty-handed, and some stranded with no means of paying for transport back home.
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke South Africa Social Security Agency spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi and Postbank Spokesperson Dr Bongani Diako.
Listen to the full conversation here:
SASSA Gold Card holders were not affected by the technical issue, and their payments were processed normally.
NOTICE: @Postbank_ZA is experiencing technical challenges affecting SASSA social grant payments #SocialGrantPayments @GovernmentZA @The_DSD @nda_rsa @GCISMedia pic.twitter.com/ILCSyvzOZQ
— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) September 5, 2023
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it was unacceptable that these “technical issues” are becoming a common occurrence over the past few months.
EFF KwaZulu-Natal called on SASSA to pay all recipients what is due to them with immediate effect, and also compensate them for the inconvenience that was caused, saying some had to borrow money.
“It is quite alarming that technical glitches have become a common occurrence over the past few months.
Amid the high unemployment rate in the country, it is a well-known fact that the agency is at the center of corruption and maladministration, and it is very painful to see our people being sent from pillar to post instead of being paid what is due to them.”
The EFF on pensioners not receiving their grants
The EFF says they will continue to monitor the situation on a monthly basis, and will not hesitate to take the necessary action in the event that foul play is suspected.
EFF KWAZULU-NATAL STATEMENT ON UNPAID SOCIAL RELIEF GRANTS pic.twitter.com/va6pnztAp4
— EFF KZN (@EFFKZN) September 5, 2023
Also read: WATCH: Another gas explosion shakes Braam



