The community of Letlhabile, in the North West, was left in limbo after being led to think the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) was changing their cards.
The new cards they were issued made them vulnerable to deductions from their social grants, so they decided to take matters into their own hands.
The disgruntled community members approached the Sassa office to voice their frustration.
They explained they were made to believe Sassa was replacing their cards with cards without the Sassa logo.
They said the new card was like a tokoloshe that steals from them every month.
Rebecca Kwele, one of the concerned beneficiaries, said the so-called green cards made their lives miserable.
“I was told at a Sassa paypoint that Sassa was introducing new cards.
“And if I didn’t change it that day, I’d forfeit my grant money the following month. They were so convincing.
“They were even wearing Sassa uniforms,” explained Rebecca.
“I later heard a Sassa official explain on radio that there were no new Sassa cards and the community should be on the lookout for these false messages,” said Rebecca.
She then approached the Sassa office in Brits.
“After being sent from pillar to post, I finally arranged a meeting with Sassa’s regional and district offices, as well as the company that was issuing us these so-called new Sassa cards.
“In that meeting, 44 people presented these problems and it was agreed with the company’s manager that the cards of all unhappy beneficiaries would be cancelled immediately.
“Everybody was told to write affidavits and take them to that company’s offices for cancellation,” Rebecca said.
Rebecca said some people were unable to cancel the unwantes cards but they were still suffering.
Social grant money paid into their Sassa cards is transferred to the alternative card monthly, which makes it easier for deductions to be made.
A Sassa grants admin team leader from the Brits local office, Mmapula Mothobi, confirmed that they met with the community and many of the cards were cancelled.
“In the meeting we agreed with the company involved to cancel cards belonging to those who wanted to cancel.
“I’m surprised some people are given attitude by the company when they want to cancel.
“As Sassa, we will get to the bottom of this and convene another meeting with this company. What they’re doing is not what was agreed upon,” Mmapula said.
Sassa’s national spokesperson, Kgomoco Diseko, said they have 17 million beneficiaries.
“Sassa will do everything in its power to ensure that it becomes impossible for deductions to go through a Sassa acount, which is merely a transmission account.
“The law demands that anybody who wants their grants to be paid into an alternative banking account should request Sassa to facilitate that in writing, otherwise it becomes illegal,” he said.
