The end of an era for gold SASSA cards

The gold SASSA cards will officially stop working tomorrow on Human Rights Day.

While beneficiaries will continue to receive their grant payments as usual, those who have not yet upgraded to the black Postbank card will need to access their funds at Post Office branches.

Postbank, which is managing the migration process, aims to have all three million grant beneficiaries using the black cards by the end of June.

The new card features enhanced security measures, including chip-and-pin technology and biometric authentication, to reduce the risk of fraud that has affected SASSA over the years.

Earlier this week, nine individuals appeared in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court facing over 1 300 charges of fraud, theft, and cybercrimes.

They are accused of defrauding the agency of more than R265 million by manufacturing over 150 ghost SASSA cards, which were used to collect funds monthly.

It is believed that these nine individuals are part of a larger syndicate, and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has not ruled out the possibility of further arrests.

Postbank has also announced plans to introduce a cardless cash withdrawal system.

This will allow beneficiaries to withdraw their grants at retailers using just their ID and a registered cellphone number.

The transition has faced challenges, with a number of beneficiaries having to travel long distance trips to service points, wait in long lines, and the system breaking down.

Some took to social media to air their frustration with the process.

So yesterday we came to change our Gold Cards into Black Cards at Vaal Mall Pick n pay, they cut the que.
Today we came at 9am exactly when the mall opened we waited, around 12:45 we were told that Sassa System is offline 😑 now it’s 14:39. A thread #SASSAPostbankCardSwap

— Bohlokwa M (@MBohlokwa3074) March 20, 2025

@MandyWiener #SASSAPostbankCardSwap its very disappointing to witness Soshanguve,where I am with about 5 shopping complex Shoprite supermarkets but only complex have @PostofficeSa workers to help the community to switch the cards its very chaotic,NOT ALL SHOPRITEs DO THIS

— Kgaogelo Mosetsa (@KGMosetsaMedia) March 19, 2025

It’s about time that corrupt #SASSA officials get arrested! 10 arrested in Gauteng next stop #KZN to many fake beneficiaries here! People who steal from the elderly 🚮🚮🚮#MorningLive

— Nhlakanipho (@NiphoDbn) March 20, 2025