Tolashe, MPs slam Postbank for failing to resolve glitches in issuing new black cards to grant beneficiaries
Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe has described the situation as a ‘crisis’ and narrated how some elderly beneficiaries are forced to queue for hours, as well as the Postbank’s slow pace in issuing the new black cards.
Sisisi Tolashe. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe and members of Parliament (MPs) have slammed Postbank for its failure to resolve glitches in issuing new black cards to social grant beneficiaries.
Tolashe has described the situation as a "crisis" and narrated how some elderly beneficiaries were forced to queue for hours, as well as Postbank’s slow pace in issuing the new black cards.
The minister briefed the portfolio committee on social development on issues affecting the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) as well as progress in the investigation into vulnerabilities in the social relief of distress (SRD) grant application system.
Tolashe was back before the committee to give it an update on the SRD grant payment system.
She also responded to concerns about the Postbank card problems.
Tolashe illustrated Postbank’s challenges following a recent visit to Grabouw and Paarl.
"Even around town, they are so scattered. If not, their tellers have no clue of what they are doing. If they do, their system provides 12 cards in four hours," the minister said.
She described the latest problem as nothing short of a crisis.
"It is a crisis because, as we indicated in our last meeting, there seems to be no plan."
Tolashe and MPs called on Postbank to appear before the committee to explain and confirm whether the March deadline for the new cards will be met.