Post Bank indicated during the discussions that the bank was in a continuous process of upgrading or modernizing their system. They had migrated to a new switching system on 21 August 2023. That this system, despite being tested before going live, experienced problems on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of September 2023. The auto-reversal system was then replaced, and the system appeared to be operating without further glitches.
Post Bank further indicated that they had assisted all of their clients who were unable to access their funds during the relevant days; through communication, hotline service and back-office manual processes. Post bank assured the Commission that all the 491 744 persons who were impacted by the banking interface glitch have since 10 September 2023, gained access to their social grant funds.
The Bank assured the SAHRC that they did not expect any issues with the October 2023 payment cycle, but nonetheless had taken precautionary measures through their service vendors, to have technicians on standby and ensure a quick response time should any problems be experienced. The Commission for its part indicated that it would closely monitor the October social grant payment cycle to the various categories of beneficiaries including Pensioners, Persons with Disabilities and minor Children.
This meeting followed an earlier meeting between the SAHRC, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), and the Department of Social Development on the same issue of technical glitches.
ENDS
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Wisani Baloyi – Acting Communications Coordinator Tel: 081 016 8308 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Alucia Sekgathume Tel: 082 689 2364 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.