Glitch in SASSA payouts frustrate pensioners
Although the queues were well managed, many who were eager to receive their payouts had to return home empty handed due to a technical glitch in the system.
PENSIONERS and other SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) grant beneficiaries in Merebank and Wentworth experienced a far less chaotic, yet still disappointing payday last week following the new grant payment cycle for the duration of the Covid-19 lockdown.
This is word from convenor of ward 68 Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) and chairperson of Helping Hands, Sharin Rajmin, who has made it her personal mission to assist on SASSA pension payout days by handing out masks as well as ensuring social distancing and crowd control at Merebank Shopping Centre and Austerville Post Office.
Although the queues were well managed and chairs were provided for the elderly, many who were eager to receive their payouts had to return home empty handed due to a technical glitch in the system.
“The frustrating part was that beneficiaries have always expected to receive their monies on the first of the month and the changed dates to the forth and the fifth, resulted in added financial stress on their part. What made matters worse was that on the day payouts, some had not received funds into their accounts after standing in the queues from as early as 4am. This immediately pushed their stress levels even higher because they felt that someone had stolen their money. For majority of these elderly, this is the only source of income they have. Some of them went back home very depressed. But I explained to them that they would get their money. I contacted the Wentworth SASSA manager who said that there was a national problem with the system which has since been resolved and all beneficiaries have received their monies now,” said Sharin.
KZN SASSA spokesperson Sandy Godlwana said: “We apologise to those beneficiaries who’ve spent money who took their time out of their busy schedules at home to receive their payments but unfortunately when they got there, some of them they didn’t receive that money. So, we really apologise about what has happened. The only information that was shared with us is that there is a technical glitch. Which is what we’ve been communicating with our beneficiaries. We received good news that the issue has been resolved.”
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