Pensioners cry as Sassa cards decline at till point

Millions of pensioners went home empty-handed, while others were left stranded as they could not retrieve their old age grants at the various payout points on Tuesday.

The Zululand Observer was inundated with calls from numerous pensioners asking for assistance as they could not withdraw their pension from the ATMs or at shops.

Michael Botha (68) said he intended to fill his car’s fuel tank in light of the petrol price increasing at midnight.

“The government is robbing us. I believe they did this intentionally. We are in the dark, nobody knows what is happening. They have failed even to make an announcement,” said Botha.

Mandlazini-based senior citizen Beauty Shange (72) said she filled her supermarket trolley with necessities, but was heartbroken when she got to the till point and discovered there was no money on her Sassa card.

“I nearly fainted as there was no food left at home. Now the challenge is to go back home,” she said on Tuesday afternoon.

“I use public transport and have no money to go home. I am stranded in Richards Bay CBD,” she said.

Is Sassa off-line? Couldn't pay for my groceries with my card this morning. The teller tried to check my balance for me as none of the ATM's could do it. Had to abandon my groceries. Stressful that I can't access my older persons grant to buy food today!

— Caroline Lucas de Braganza (@cazdebrag) September 5, 2023

https://twitter.com/CoffinD/status/1699016946866429981

KZN Sassa spokesperson Sandy Godlwana said the problem was with Postbank.

“We have heard that some of our clients who are using gold cards issued by Postbank are experiencing problems accessing their money. Some are getting half, while others have received it all. We have been told that Postbank is experiencing technical glitches, and it is not only in KZN but across the country,” she said.

Glodlwana added that customers who received their pension grants through the banks had no problem. Attempts to obtain a comment from Postbank were fruitless

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