Kimberley Post Office. File picture
AS employees and customers at the main branch of the South African Post Office in Kimberley remain literally in the dark about the future of the local post office, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has urged its beneficiaries to make use of alternative payment channels when withdrawing their social grants.
The main branch post office in the city had been without electricity supply after its power supply was discontinued after it apparently failed to pay rent to its landlord.
Employees at the post office apparently only go to work and then are dismissed from their duties a few hours later.
Customers complained that they are unable to access any services or their parcels due to the systems not working.
“This is a great concern. The post office has now become an empty hell which is just there for decoration. One is not able to get any service as employees cannot log into their system. They cannot trace any parcels or even release our sent parcels as they cannot access the information of the recipient. The system needs electricity to function and there is none. The workers are just sitting in that dark building and customers are just being turned away each day. That is such a disgrace,” they said.
The provincial Communication and Marketing Manager SASSA, Mamazane Shabangu advised social grant beneficiaries to withdraw their grants from supermarkets or ATMs.
“The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has noted with concern the challenges faced by the South African Post Office main branch in Kimberley regarding the discontinued power supply. Due to this challenge faced by the Kimberley Post Office main branch, social grant recipients in possession of the SASSA gold cards are encouraged to make use of ATMs and supermarkets like, Checkers, Shoprite, USave, OK, Pick n Pay, Boxer and other participating retailers) for social grant payment transactions as they have done in the past. The SASSA gold card issued by the Postbank enables to transact using the card and PIN Code within the National Payment System (NPS) at Banks’ ATMs, SAPO branches and retailers. Furthermore, Postbank has introduced a cardless withdrawal option that allows grant recipients to receive their money at participating supermarkets without having the physical card in their possession. Beneficiaries are requested to present their identity document and cell phone at the till-point to transact cardless,” said Shabangu.
She said beneficiaries are welcome to make alternative payment arrangements should they want to receive their social grants paid into a bank account.
“Social grants recipients are entitled to choose a payment channel of their choice, and if they choose to receive their social grants payment through a bank of their choice, they can do so, by bringing proof of bank account received from the bank, a three month bank statement that reflects the personal details of the account holder, proof of identity along to the SASSA offices. These documents should be submitted to the nearest SASSA office to mandate SASSA to pay the beneficiary social grant into the chosen personal bank account,” she said.
Shabangu added that beneficiaries can contact Postbank should they encounter any challenges with withdrawals.
“For any challenges beneficiaries are experiencing during social grants withdrawal, they can contact Postbank Call Centre on 0800 53 54 55 or send an email to email enquiries@postbank.co.za or send a WhatsApp to 053 359 606. For more information on grants related queries, beneficiaries can call the National SASSA Toll-free on 0800 60 10 11,” Shabangu concluded.
Several attempts to get comment from the Post Office spokesperson were unsuccessful.