WATCH: Alberton City sees surge in SASSA card renewals ahead of February 28 deadline
As the February 28 deadline for Sassa card renewals nears, long queues continue to form outside Alberton City.
The SASSA card renewal process at Alberton City Shopping Centre continues to draw large crowds as beneficiaries scramble to transition from the old gold cards to the new Postbank black cards ahead of the February 28 deadline.
The growing queues have become a regular sight outside the centre, with many waiting hours to complete their renewals.
As the deadline approaches, a noticeable shift has occurred in how beneficiaries are assisted.
The process has become more streamlined, with the first 60 individuals in line ushered inside the mall to complete their card renewals at a dedicated area on the upper floor, Entrance A.
Previously, assistance was available at the Pick n Pay entrance, but that is no longer the case. Beneficiaries are now directed to the upper floor of the mall, where dedicated Postbank personnel help with the transition. However, the queue outside remains in place, with people lining up in the same area.
@albertonrecord The growing queues have become a regular sight outside the centre, with many waiting hours to complete their renewals. As the deadline approaches, a noticeable shift has occurred in how beneficiaries are assisted. The process has become more streamlined, with the first 60 individuals in line ushered inside the mall to complete their card renewals at a dedicated area on the upper floor, Entrance A. Previously, assistance was available at the Pick n Pay entrance, but that is no longer the case. Beneficiaries are now directed to the upper floor of the mall, where dedicated Postbank personnel help with the transition. However, the queue outside remains in place, with people lining up in the same area.
“The process is much quicker here. I came to Alberton City because I was told it was more efficient. I couldn’t afford to waste another day in a long queue,” said one beneficiary, turned away from the Sam Ntuli Mall because of delays.
Speaking to individuals waiting outside, several confirmed they had chosen Alberton City over other locations because of the faster system.
Despite the process improvements, frustrations remain for those who still have to endure long waits.
The mall has taken steps to prioritise those who may face additional challenges, such as the elderly, pregnant women, or those with disabilities.
While the transition to the new cards began last year, the deadline has led to a rush of beneficiaries seeking assistance.
With the February 28 deadline fast approaching, authorities are urging beneficiaries to act quickly and avoid the last-minute rush to ensure their grants are not delayed.
For those needing to renew their cards, the best advice is to arrive early and prepare for waiting time, as they expect the queues to intensify as the deadline nears.
The Alberton Record has escalated the matter to relevant departments of SASSA offices for a comment, and we will update readers once the comment has been received.
WATCH: Long queues for SASSA card renewals worry beneficiaries at Alberton City
