THE South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has said it is facing challenges beyond its control.
In a statement released on Thursday, 12 May, Sassa advised social grant clients not to go to any post office branch to try to access funds.
Sassa spokesman Paseka Letsatsi said the agency was working on contingency measures together with the post office to assist all clients to receive PINs so that they can transact at the nearest retail outlets and bank ATMs.
“All clients are reminded that they can use the Sassa/Sapo (South African Post Office) card at any retail outlet or bank ATM. Clients can either withdraw cash they require or use the card to purchase goods. Balances left in the card are safe and can be accessed whenever required. There is no need to withdraw all the cash at once,” Letsatsi said.
He further advised the clients of the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress R350 grant not to go to the post office to access funds which have not yet been collected.
Letsatsi urged the recipients of the R350 grant to visit www.srd.sassa.gov.za and select an option to collect the grant from the following retail stores:
- Checkers
- Usave
- Shoprite
- Pick n Pay
- Boxer
“When reporting to a merchant to access the funds, clients must have their identity document and cellphone they registered when applying for the grant because the one-time pin number will be sent to this registered number.
“All applicants for the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant are encouraged to update their details on the system, to have the grant paid into their bank account, as this is the safest way in which to receive the funds,” Letsatsi added.
