Traditional Leaders Fight To Keep SASSA Cash Pay Points Open

Postbank & Sassa previously announced that SASSA beneficiaries will no longer be able to collect their Sassa grant payments from post office pay points, following that decision hundreds of sassa cash pay points have already been closed.

Because of this closure number of Sassa beneficiaries were not happy at all & and CONTRALESA would mobilize to oppose the closure. He called it an “error of judgment”.

Recently the “Traditional Leaders of South Africa” took the step to reverse this decision as the Council of Traditional Leaders of SA (CONTRALESA) president Mathupha Mokoena said:

“The majority of our senior citizens have never been inside a bank or ATM ever since they were born and the majority of them can’t even operate an ATM”
Mokoena says in remote areas transport to banks and ATMs is difficult and pensioners would battle to collect their grants.

According to Mokoena, many Sassa grant beneficiaries from Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga approached him for help in this matter, as they are facing difficulty while receiving their grant amounts after sassa cash pay points closure in March. They are among 300 senior citizens who used to collect their money from the Mathibela Tribal Council.

He further says” “I have personally contacted the minister and made her aware of our dissatisfaction. I will write a letter to the President and Parliament about the same matter,”

Sassa Spokesperson Paseka Letsatsic Response

Sassa’s spokesperson showed simple denial by saying that it is too late now to reverse such a decision as it will cost billions of rand to the government of South Africa.

“In any change, we understand that there will be a few people unhappy with this, and we are open to continue conversing with them to encourage change.” Says sassa spokesperson paseka letsatsic

“Also reverting only for the last few people who were affected by closures would be unfair for the 99.6% of our clients who have already adapted to this change over the last five years,” he says.

He further said if some people like old age beneficiaries & disabled beneficiaries are facing difficulty they have the option to appoint a person to collect on their behalf. He says their nearest SASSA office can assist them on how to appoint a procurator. But changing such a huge decision will not be fair to the other 90% of beneficiaries who are already been informed.

Check this month’s grant status via Sassa Status Check

News Reference: MSN