There are fresh tensions between CPS and Sassa - this time, accusations that company employees are persuading grant recipients not to sign up for the new gold cards.
Post Office CEO Mark Barnes says whatever happens regarding the strike, beneficiaries will still be able to get their money.
In a submission to Parliament's Social Development Committee this week, Sassa says card swap teams will be dispatched to all pay points to issue the new cards.
In an affidavit filed with the Constitutional Court, Social Development Minister Susan Shabangu says the money will be recouped over four years.
The panel of experts says it’s unlikely the Post Office will meet its own deadline to obtain portable cash machines to dispense grants to beneficiaries in rural areas by July.
It says that it has identified over 2,000 pay points that it can do away with and where the Post Office can takeover.
Sassa asked the court to suspend the invalidity of its contract with grants distributor, Cash Paymaster Service (CPS), for a further six months.
The South African Post Office is ready to distribute all other payments to millions of beneficiaries from 1 April.
The Post Office says it’s ready to take over the distribution of social grants from CPS but can’t do so without the company come 1 April.
The Centre for Applied Legal Studies, on behalf of Black Sash, will be in the Constitutional Court today seeking clarity on social grant payments.
The Post Office has already indicated that it will only be able to pay around one million of these because its rural outlets are not suitable for use as cash paypoints.
There are just three months to go to implement its agreement with the Post Office to pay social grants.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts says it condemns Sassa’s incompetence and obfuscation in the matter.
Post Office CEO Mark Barnes says the new agreement with the Sassa is a step forward towards sensible outcomes.
