Human rights organisation Black Sash has criticised the South African Social Security (SASSA) and Postbank’s decision to extend the deadline for replacing gold payment payment cards, arguing that the move fails to address systemic barriers plaguing beneficiaries.
Grant recipients now have until March 20, 2025, to swap their expired SASSA gold cards for Postbank’s black cards, following an extension from the original February 28 deadline.
However, Black Sash insists the delay alone won’t resolve the “myriad of challenges” faced by vulnerable beneficiaries.
Rural Communities Bear the Brunt of Poor Infrastructure
Black Sash’s KwaZulu-Natal Manager, Evashnee Naidu, highlighted alarming gaps in service delivery after monitoring Postbank offices in eSikhawini, Umlazi, and Isipingo. “Some of the sites were offline. Some had been closed. Beneficiaries have had to travel from very far out because there are no sites in all communities across the country,” she said.
In rural areas like Ithikawini and Pangeni, beneficiaries traveled from as far as Nongoma only to encounter offline systems. “People had to go back home without having changed their cards and were being asked to return further in the month, which is now a cost factor and puts a burden on these beneficiaries,” Naidu explained.
Black Sash has urged the government to deploy mobile units to assist rural residents, emphasiding that limited physical service points disproportionately impact marginalised communities.
Western Cape Minister Londt Echoes Concerns: “Unacceptable” Rural Exclusion
Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt, welcomed the deadline extension but joined calls for urgent reforms. “Many complaints are centered around the lack of Postbank sites in rural areas. It is unacceptable,” she said.
Minister Londt noted that most service points in the Western Cape are concentrated in Cape Metro, with only a few in George, Vredenburg, and Caledon—the latter two reportedly non-operational. “We cannot leave vulnerable residents in rural areas behind,” she stressed, adding that mobile units must be clearly communicated to ensure no one is excluded.
Operational Failures and Long Queues Persist
Both Black Sash and Minister Londt highlighted systemic flaws:
- Inadequate staffing at existing sites.
- Network outages disrupting card swaps.
- Long queues forcing elderly beneficiaries to wait hours, often unsuccessfully.
Minister Londt cited reports of elderly residents “standing in queues from early morning hours, only to be turned away,” while others spend scarce funds traveling to distant sites.
Demands for Immediate Action
Stakeholders are calling for:
1. Mobile units with clear schedules for rural areas.
2. Increased service points in underserved regions.
3. Adequate staffing and resources to reduce wait times.
4. Transparent communication about site availability.
Minister Londt vowed to escalate the issue during a meeting with the National Minister of Social Development and provincial MECs, stressing, “We have a profound duty of care to protect our most vulnerable residents.”
Deadline Extension Alone Won’t Fix Systemic Gaps
While the deadline extension offers temporary relief, advocates warn that without addressing infrastructure deficits and operational failures, thousands risk losing access to critical grants.
As Black Sash and officials amplify their demands, pressure mounts on SASSA and Postbank to act swiftly—and humanely—to ensure no beneficiary is left behind.
To stay updated on all the SASSA Gold Card swop to the Postbank Black Card and more, visit SASSA official website here.
 and Postbank to act swiftly—and humanely—to ensure no beneficiary is left behind. ){kind=link}