GEORGE NEWS - Some 30 recipients of Sassa elderly grants had to return home empty-handed from the George Post Office on Tuesday 4 June after their pensions could not be paid out.
A community worker from Pacaltsdorp who was trying to help them, said according to information she had received, Sassa had paid the grant monies over to the South African Post Office (Sapo), but the head office was yet to pay over the required funds to the George branch.
"These are pensioners who have not yet applied for their new Sassa cards. They still have the blue Post Office cards because they do not have the know-how to apply and they have no children or dependents who can help them.
"They are really vulnerable and at the mercy of the system. Apparently, this is the third month that the George Post Office has not received funds and these pensioners are simply left to their fate," said the community worker, who wanted to remain anonymous.
Since the Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp Post Office branches have closed down as part of the downscaling of Sapo, which is in business rescue, pensioners from these areas have to travel far to the main branch and on Tuesday, the rain did not make it any easier.
Many do not have transport and their physical ability is limited, so catching the bus is very challenging.
When the newspaper popped in around mid-morning, the pensioners were gathered in the foyer, patiently waiting in the hope of receiving their pensions. Some had arrived before opening time.
The community worker said they were later told to return on Wednesday (yesterday). By the time of going to print it was still unsure whether they would be paid.
The post office branch manager said he was not allowed to comment and referred George Herald to Sapo's media communications department.
To date, no comment has been received from the Post Office and neither has Sassa's Western Cape spokesperson responded to a query.
Among the pensioners was a mother who said she was still waiting for last month's child grant.
"I have been to Sassa who said the money had been paid to the post office. I have been to the post office four times, but all I get told is that they have not received the funds from their head office," she said.
UPDATE: George Herald has in the meantime learned that the beneficiaries received their money on Wednesday 5 June.
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