SASSA alert: Social grant recipients ‘having money deducted’ due to glitch

It may be the last month of the R350 social grant in its current form, but that doesn’t mean SASSA is anywhere near getting their act together. SRD recipients – and others collecting their payments on Wednesday – have been warned that they could see money deducted from their accounts due to a technical problem.

• The issue has, so far, only affected a small number of clients

SASSA social grants – and R350 payments – hit by withdrawal glitch

The announcement, made by the SA Post Office earlier in the day, tells customers that a number of withdrawals have ‘timed out’. Despite this, the amount of money that some individuals tried to claim on 7 October has still been deducted, leaving a handful of recipients without any cash to hand – and negative arrears in their accounts.

In SAPO’s statement, the department has apologised for the distress caused, and vowed to fix the problem swiftly. They have assured those waiting on their R350 social grant – and other payments made available earlier this week – that any ‘timed out deductions’ would be reversed, and the account status will be corrected for everyone by early afternoon:

“Postbank is aware that some SASSA withdrawals are timing out, deducting the amount from your account although the transaction is unsuccessful. These transactions are being automatically reversed, the account status will be correct after 13:00 today. We apologise for the issue.”

SA Post Office

Postbank is aware that some Sassa withdrawals are timing out, deducting the amount from your account although the transaction is unsuccessful. These transactions are being automatically reversed, account status will be correct after 13:00 today. We apologise for the issue. pic.twitter.com/EYLk0SI1ng

— SA Post Office (@PostofficeSa) October 7, 2020

Post Office issue guidance to recipients

On Tuesday, SAPO warned that the planned Cosatu strike action could disrupt operations for the rest of the week. It’s worth noting that citizens can collect their social grants on any day of the month – however, not everyone has the luxury of going an extra few days without cash, and SASSA’s systems are once again causing chaos for society’s most vulnerable.

Customer advisory: The Cosatu industrial action could affect service levels at post office branches. Sassa beneficiaries, note please that you can withdraw your grant any day of the month. pic.twitter.com/kSFOrozLVz

— SA Post Office (@PostofficeSa) October 6, 2020