Post Bank CEO Ntomboxolo Mbengashe says the March 20 deadline to switch the SASSA gold cards to the new black card doesn't mean they will stop issuing cards after that.

BE WARNED

However, she warns that social grant recipients who will not have switched to the new card must not attempt to use the old card after the deadline. "There has been some confusion around this deadline, so I need to clarify that as of 20th March, the SASSA gold and yellow cards will stop working. So we are pleading with all beneficiaries to not attempt to use this card to access their grants." She further explained that Postbank will continue to issue cards past the deadline. "Even in April we will still be issuing cards; however, we will also try to increase the number of access points where people can make their cards. Currently, we are sitting with over 300 sites nationally, so we are pleading with beneficiaries to not stop but continue to come and get their cards."

SASSA WOES

Explaining the recent fraud case where three officials were arrested for fraud, acting CEO Themba Matlou explained that the agency was doing a review of its offices when they picked up contaminated files in Johannesburg. "You must know that SASSA has an anti-fraud management strategy. We have started a review project, going office per office, which led us to 200 contaminated files in Johannesburg, and the work is continuing. So far the police have arrested three suspects who made their first appearance in court today, and the police are still looking for four. You will understand that when you are arrested, you have to be put on suspension as a labour-related process, and that's what we have done."