Western Cape: Western Cape MEC for Social Development, Jaco Londt, has welcomed the announcement extending the deadline for replacing the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold cards with the Postbank black cards to 20 March 2025.

According to South African Government News Agency, this decision was shared in a joint press release by the Ministers of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, and Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, on Friday. MEC Londt explained that his office has been inundated with queries and complaints from SASSA grant beneficiaries across the Western Cape, despite SASSA being a national entity that does not fall within the powers of the Western Cape Government.

The MEC highlighted that many complaints are centered on the lack of Postbank sites in rural areas. He pointed out that the majority of service points in the province are in the Cape Metro, with only a few available in George, Vredenburg, and Caledon. Reports indicate that sites in Vredenburg and Caledon may not be operational. Additionally, Londt emphasized the need for these offices to be adequately staffed to manage the influx of beneficiaries.

Londt expressed optimism that mobile offices will now be dispatched to serve rural areas. However, he stressed the importance of clear and adequate communication regarding the schedule of these mobile units to ensure no resident is left behind. He offered assistance from his office in communicating this schedule.

The following sites are available for SASSA beneficiaries to replace their cards: Boxer Langa, Boxer Philippi, Boxer Mitchells Plain, Checkers Hyper Parow, USave Bellville, Shoprite Bayside Mall, Shoprite Eerste River, Shoprite Khayelitsha CBD, Shoprite Gugulethu, Shoprite Adderley Street, Shoprite Thembalethu, Shoprite George, Shoprite Paarl, Shoprite Vredenburg, and USave Caledon.

MEC Londt has urged Postbank to increase the number of service points in rural areas and ensure adequate resources at larger sites like the Cape Metro, where residents face long queues while trying to replace their old cards. He noted reports of elderly residents standing in lines from early morning only to be turned away, highlighting the financial and physical burdens on vulnerable residents.

Londt reiterated the government’s duty to protect vulnerable residents and called for a swift resolution to the current crisis. He assured that the province will continue to monitor the card migration process to ensure beneficiaries receive the best possible service.

He concluded by stating his intention to raise this issue in a meeting with the Minister of Social Development and MECs from other provinces this week.