Agency warns SASSA pensioner cards being held illegally

A troubling pattern over SASSA pensioner cards is emerging around the country. New reports point to pensioners in Brakpan, Gauteng, having their cards forcibly confiscated by shop owners.

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Charmaine van Heerden, chairperson of Solidariteit Helpende Hand, has flagged concerns in Brakpan that certain retailers are taking SASSA pensioner cards, and in some cases their identity documents, as collateral for unpaid grocery accounts.

SASSA PENSIONER CARDS HELD ILLEGALLY

A pensioner receiving a South African Social Security Agency grant might run a tab for essentials at their local store. He or she is asked to hand over their SASSA pensioner card and ID document as collateral. And the store owner only returns the card once payment has been made and they’ve withdrawn the money owed.

For grant recipients living perilously close to the poverty line, this may sound like a reasonable tradeoff.

However, SASSA’s Gauteng communications manager, Lungelo Mkamba, has slammed the practice.

“No retailer, lender or family member has any legal right to hold SASSA pensioner cards. It is illegal to keep as security or use to draw money on the beneficiary’s behalf. Doing so amounts to fraud, theft, intimidation and financial exploitation,” confirmed Mkamba.

PROTECT YOUR SASSA CARD AT ALL TIMES

The agency recommends turning to community or family members for help before handing over your SASSA card as collateral. Image: File

Moreover, the Social Assistance Act of 2004, section 19, backs this up.

It says taxpayer-funded SASSA grant may only be used by the approved beneficiary. And further sections explicitly state anyone, “transferring, ceding, pledging or controlling another’s grant does so illegally.”

So, what can you do to protect yourself and stay out of this vicious cycle? If you encounter someone withholding SASSA pensioner cards, the agency wants you to report it immediately to the toll-free line: 0800 60 10 11.

To protect yourself, treat the integrity of your card and PIN as non-negotiable. Do not hand them over to a trusted shop keeper, not even a relative …

SASSA PENSIONER CARDS CONFISCATED

As ever, be wary of any store willing to let you buy now and settle on the next SASSA grant payment day.

This informal arrangement, while convenient, makes it easy to lose track of exactly how much you owe. It’s difficult because the grants are so low but try and budget across the full monthly grant cycle.

Breakdown your budget per week. If you’re struggling, lean on community support before going for store credit. Stokvels, church groups and local NGOs are a safer stopgap than a shop willing to hold SASSA pensioner cards hostage.

But what do you think? Have you experienced this nefarious practice? If so, how did you rectify the debt? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …

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