The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) suspension of the process to transition from the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) gold cards to Postbank’s black ones has sparked uncertainty among social grant beneficiaries.

The SARB has cited Postbank’s compliance regarding the security systems, limited banking infrastructure and poor communication as reasons for the temporary suspension of the process.

Some social grant beneficiaries in the Northern Cape say they are still confused about the transition process.

Kimberley-based pensioner Matshidisonyana Seleke says, “I have not changed my card because I am very confused. I don’t know what to do about this SASSA cards. SASSA is making us confused.”

SASSA has reiterated its stance that the old cards remain functional until the Reserve Bank announces a new deadline.

The Agency’s Northern Cape Spokesperson Lungelo Mkamba says, “Although the issuance of the Postbank black cards has been temporarily halted on instruction of the South African Reserve Bank, all SASSA gold cards remain  functional until a new deadline for the termination of the SASSA gold card is issued by the SARB soon, beneficiaries can, therefore, continue using their gold cards as usual, and there is no need for immediate panic.”

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