Thousands of pensioners around the country were left stranded yesterday when they couldn't withdraw their monthly Sassa grants as the Post Office experienced intermittent technical glitch. The Sassa beneficiaries's cards were declined at both ATMs and at retail stores. The Post Office has since said the issue will be fixed in due course.

Sassa beneficiaries in KwaZulu Natal were also turned away when they went to the Post Office and paypoints to collect gheir grants on Tuesday. Sassa Head of Operations Marietha Harris confirmed that the Postbank experienced some glitches. "Postbank advises Sassa grants beneficiaries that we are experiencing intermittent technical issues which are affecting some beneficiaries ability an to withdraw their funds from ATM's and retailers," Harris said.

Postbank said that the technical challenges also affect the R350 withdrawals within retailers. "Sassa grants beneficiaries are assured that Postbank technical teams are working around the clock to resolve the issue. Postbank deeply understands the inconvenience that this technical issue poses to our valued Sassa grants customers. We apologise unreservedly to all our customers. Postbank will advise as soon as the technical issue is resolved," she added. Harris further said that social grants payments transactions via Sassa gold cards within Postbank branches are proessing normally and not affected by the issue.