Dear Editor
While the DA welcomes the instruction by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to Postbank that South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold cards remain active, we will request that SARB appear before the parliamentary portfolio committee on social development to explain their perspective on the chaos of switching the gold cards to Postbank black cards.
We believe that the instruction that Postbank must honour transactions made with SASSA gold cards will be a source of comfort for SASSA grant beneficiaries who have been unable to switch, but the constant change of deadlines, the general chaos that have marked the process, and now the suspension of issuing Postbank black cards remain a source of worry for beneficiaries and the DA.
Beneficiaries have spent many hours and their limited funds in efforts to switch their SASSA gold cards to Postbank black cards, often being sent home empty handed – especially during the early days of the switch. To now have to content with yet another change in process is unreasonable.
While the DA does not hold SARB responsible for the chaos, we believe that South Africans will benefit from the Reserve Bank’s view on the situation. A briefing by SARB will also further empower Parliament to hold Postbank and SASSA to account.
The DA also commends our local Councillors for supporting SASSA grant beneficiaries by availing community halls, inviting banks, and empowering residents to choose their service provider. We encourage SASSA grant recipients to open accounts with reputable banks in which to receive their monthly grants.
Regards
Alexandra Abrahams MP
DA Deputy Spokesperson on Social Development