NATIONAL NEWS - The existing South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) cards expire on 31 December, leaving many social grant beneficiaries fearing the onset of 2018.

Sassa has issued a statement to assure the beneficiaries of social grants that the matter has been dealt with and resolved by all parties concerned, namely CPS (Cash Paymaster Services), Payments Association of South Africa (Pasa) and MasterCard.

Sassa says all the parties are in agreement that the official Sassa card issued to social grant beneficiaries will operate without any problem beyond the expiry date of 31 December that is printed on it. 

"This means that the card will be accepted at all retailers, irrespective of the expiry date printed on it," Sassa promised. 

"The technology and the acceptance of the card into the National Payment System requires no enhancement."

The Sassa card bearing the colours of the South African flag remains the only official card and cannot be changed for any other card.

Sassa CEO Pearl Bengu also stressed that beneficiaries of social grants have no need to panic as the issue has been resolved. 

"It has been agreed in our negotiations that Pasa will issue a notice to all retailers, informing them that the Sassa card will still function properly, irrespective of the expiry date printed on it."

Bengu assured beneficiaries that payment of their social grants will go ahead as usual, saying that the agency is aware that the expiry date on the card coincides with the period when most parents will be preparing to take their children back to school.

Beneficiaries are warned to be careful of individuals who pose as Sassa employees, offering to exchange their Sassa cards for other cards due to the expiry date.

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