Earlier this year, South Africa watched in disbelief as chaos unfolded over the SASSA Postbank card swap.
One day, millions of grant recipients using the gold SASSA card were told to switch to a black card—just like that, with barely any notice.
The result? Confusion, overcrowded queues, and a system that simply couldn’t cope.
But after multiple deadline extensions and millions still left without help, authorities scrapped the card swap altogether. Crisis averted? Not quite.
A New Headache for Beneficiaries Still With Postbank
Even though the infamous card swap is now history, another, much bigger problem is brewing—and this one could leave more than two million people without their social grants.
According to the Public Protector, there’s a serious gap in planning as Postbank’s agreement with SASSA ends on 30 September 2025.
Yet, there’s still no backup plan in place to ensure payments continue smoothly.
This looming deadline means that anyone still relying on Postbank for their grant payments needs to act fast—or risk getting nothing in October.
Public Protector Sounds the Alarm
The Public Protector’s office didn’t mince words.
In a new report, they highlighted “fundamental compliance issues” between SASSA and Postbank that make renewing the agreement unlikely.
Not only is there no alternative system lined up, but ongoing investigations into Postbank are uncovering issues like poor management of social grants and questionable appointments—such as that of former SASSA CEO Busisiwe Memela-Khambula.
The advice is crystal clear: if you’re a SASSA beneficiary still using Postbank, switch to a trusted bank now to avoid a payment disaster come October.
DA Pushes for Urgent Answers in Parliament
The Democratic Alliance isn’t letting this slide.
MP Alexandra Abrahams has raised the issue in Parliament, calling for SASSA, Postbank, and even the South African Reserve Bank to be held accountable for what she describes as “jeopardising the payments of over two million beneficiaries.”
These include vulnerable groups relying on Child, Disability, and Older Person grants—grants that are often their only source of income.
“People deserve clarity, and they need it now,” Abrahams said, urging urgent intervention.
What You Should Do If You Still Use Postbank
If you’re still using a Postbank card for your SASSA grant, it’s time to switch to another credible bank.
The contract between Postbank and SASSA ends in less than 80 days, and all signs point to it not being renewed.
That means you could be left without a payment method if you don’t act soon.
Don’t wait until the system collapses—make the change while you still can.