The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has reassured grant recipients that payments will not be disrupted despite ongoing discussions with Postbank and the looming expiry of their Master Service Agreement (MSA).

Sassa CEO, Themba Matlou, appealed to beneficiaries to remain calm, emphasising that the agency’s mandate to distribute grants seamlessly remains unchanged.

“The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) wishes to reiterate its commitment to a seamless and efficient distribution of social grants to all its beneficiaries in line with its mandate,” Matlou said.

He stressed that beneficiaries who receive their grants through Postbank should not be concerned, noting that the partnership between the two entities continues in terms of the MSA.

“Therefore, the approximately 2 million SASSA beneficiaries receiving their social grants through Postbank are not affected by any potential changes to the MSA,” Matlou explained.

“As Sassa, we can emphatically state that it is business as usual for us, no eligible beneficiary is set to lose their grant irrespective of changes that may occur with our partners. We are working tireless to safeguard the grants of our clients,” he said.

The agency’s reassurance comes as Sassa’s MSA with Postbank is set to expire on September 30, 2025.

Postbank, however, has clarified that while the agreement requires periodic reviews, “it has no end date” and its presence or absence does not affect social grant payments.

Matlou also pointed out that Postbank is treated the same as any other financial institution under current regulations.

“SASSA views Postbank like all other banks and Social Assistance Act regulations give social grant beneficiaries a right to choose a bank in which they want to receive their grant into,” he said.

IOL News

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