Hundreds of hungry grant beneficiaries waiting in queue
Sapo outlets experienced glitches in their systems, affecting all Postbank customers needing to make over-the-counter payments, deposits and withdrawals
A technical glitch delaying the payment of Sassa grants has left hundreds of beneficiaries dismayed, as the Dispatch witnessed at the Oxford Street Post Office on Friday.
It has been a week since the SA Social Security Agency issued an apology over the delay, which has left many recipients and their families hungry and having to borrow money to travel to the post office every day this week in the hope of receiving their grants.
South African Post Office (Sapo) outlets experienced glitches in their systems, affecting all Postbank customers needing to make over-thecounter payments, deposits and withdrawals.
On Friday, a despairing group of elderly people and young women, complaining of hunger, queued at the East London Post Office waiting for some good news.
Thandiwe Dayisi, 66, said she had to borrow R60 taxi fare every day since Monday to travel to the post office, hoping to return to her Macleantown home with food for her three grandchildren and great-grandchild.
Dayisi, who has to use crutches to walk, is waiting for her grant as well as for a foster-care grant for one of her grandchildren.
“We travelled to East London and filled the trolley with groceries but the card declined at the till point,” she said.
“We went to another shop and still the card said there was no money.
“When we got to another one we managed to buy some stuff for R200, and earlier while at the village, I bought some things from the local shop.
“Again, the card declined in another shop and I was advised to go to the post office.
“When I first arrived here on Monday, we didn’t get any solid information until we decided to strike.
“We were told by the manager to jot our names down and return the next morning.
“I was in the queue at about 6am on Tuesday. “There’s only R6 in the card.
“They showed me money was withdrawn from my account.
“R2,000 was withdrawn from Absa and I know nothing about that,” Dayisi said.
She said when she went to report the matter to the police, she was told to bring a bank statement.
“I can only get the statement from the post bank.
“I have been coming here for that since Wednesday and they tell me they are busy with making new cards for those in need.
“I have lost hope that I will get help, but I will queue here until they close because I need help.
“The post officials have been refusing to help me.”
Mother of four, Veliswa Gola, from Duncan Village, was also supposed to received her children’s grants on Friday.
“I usually withdraw the money from any ATM. When I didn’t get it from Friday until Sunday, I decided to go to Sassa on Monday thinking maybe they forgot to deposit the money into my card.
“I was told to go to the post office.
“I have been coming here since Tuesday. “We were told to ask for the manager on Friday if we don’t get the money.
“Sometimes I walk to town or borrow money because I had hoped that by Friday we will get the money.
“I don’t know how long I will have to wait. I’m unemployed and there’s no food at home.
“We all depend on the grant. I ask neighbours for food just so my children don’t go to school hungry,” Gola said.
Amalinda’s Nombulelo Njingana, 55, who was waiting for her grant for her grandchild, said officials had given them different explanations every day.
“I had to talk to her [granddaughter’s] transport driver to bear with me because I pay her transportation dues with the grant.
“She could not afford to miss school as they are busy with exams now.
“Every time I go to check if the money is there, I’m left saddened.
“My children’s high hopes are dashed every day when I come home with nothing.”