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The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has expressed concern about the confusion surrounding the replacement of SASSA Gold Cards with Postbank Black Cards, amid the looming 31 August 2026 deadline.
 
The committee is particularly concerned that some beneficiaries, including older persons and people with disabilities, are still struggling to navigate the card replacement process at a time when Postbank is warning that failure to migrate could result in disruptions in accessing social grants.
 
The committee wants urgent clarity from Postbank and SASSA on whether every beneficiary who still needs a Black Card can realistically be assisted before Monday’s deadline. The committee needs to know how many people are still using Gold Cards, where they are located, whether there are sufficient replacement sites in those areas and what is being done to assist those who cannot stand in queues or travel long distances.
 
The committee has previously raised concerns about the rollout of the Black Cards, including the difficulties experienced by older persons and people with disabilities. It is therefore deeply concerning that beneficiaries may once again find themselves under pressure as another deadline approaches.
 
Furthermore, the committee is concerned about reports of confusion surrounding the issuing of Black Cards in some areas and the difficulties experienced by some beneficiaries with verification and related processes. Government institutions involved in paying social grants have a responsibility to ensure that administrative processes do not become an obstacle between beneficiaries and the support to which they are entitled.
 
The committee therefore calls on Postbank, SASSA and the Department of Social Development to urgently provide a clear account of the state of readiness ahead of the deadline on 31 August. In particular, the committee wants assurances that beneficiaries who have been unable to replace their cards despite making reasonable attempts to do so will not be left without access to their grants.
 
The committee further calls for special arrangements for older persons, people with disabilities and beneficiaries living in rural and remote communities who may have trouble reaching replacement sites.
 
The committee will engage with the Department of Social Development, SASSA and Postbank urgently on the outstanding challenges and measures being put in place to prevent any disruption to grant payments.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango