Thousands of social grant beneficiaries have yet to receive their money this month due to glitches in a move from the old payment system to a new one.
The elderly, sick and desperate have been queuing at ATMs, retail stores and Sassa offices across the country since the first of the month.
Sassa acting CEO Abraham Mahlangu said on Monday they were experiencing challenges with the change.
He asked beneficiaries to wait three days and assured them the grants would be paid in full.
“In fact, the funds are already in their accounts. Sassa and the SA Post Office are working tirelessly to find a solution in the shortest possible time. We further undertake to keep our beneficiaries informed,” he said.
Sassa Eastern Cape spokesman Luzuko Qina said yesterday they were experiencing technological challenges, but could not give details on how many people in the province were affected or when the problem would be sorted out.
Neither could Qina say if those having problems were mainly Sassa card holders or mainly bank account holders. The problem was being felt by both, he said.
Qina said: “Grants have been paid into all Sassa cards and accounts but access is where the challenge is. This challenge is being resolved and within three days beneficiaries shall have accessed their grants. Sassa with SAPO are working around the clock to sort this matter out.”
By late yesterday, scores of beneficiaries had still not received their money. Nombeko Kweniso said she had been travelling 28km from Emahlungulu village to Qumbu and back to collect her four grandchildren’s money every day since Sunday.
“We thought the problem was with the old cards, only to find out the new cards are not working as well. I have been going up and down for three days and this is not fair on us.”
Nelisiwe Motomane has spent over R100 on taxi fare to collect her grandchild’s R400 at an ATM in the small town.
“We have to wake up early in the village to catch transport going to town and when we get to the ATMs there is no money. This is so sad to watch the elderly suffer like this. “People are crying, they are hungry. This is the first time using this new method and already it is giving problems. I hope they can sort this out soon.”
Speaking on behalf of her grandmother, a woman who did not want to be named at the Gillwell taxi mall in East London said they had to leave a trolley full of groceries at the till when the cashiers told her there was no money on her card.
“We have been sleeping on empty stomachs since last week and the only thing we have left back at home is a bag of mielie meal which we eat in the morning. This situation will drive many people to loan sharks.”
Sicelo Sitoto of Ziphunzane said: “They said we would be given food in the meantime but that too has not happened.” It is getting more difficult to survive back at home.”
Nqaba Ngamlana said life had become bleak. “There are eight people who depend on this money. My sons are unemployed. Without any income we are left to beg for food.”..