Beneficiaries Warn: Stop Using Postbank Black Card at ATM

SASSA grant recipients are warning each other to avoid using the new Postbank black card at ATMs, according to The South African. Beneficiaries have reported network failures that block transactions, missing or delayed grant payments after switching to the black card and poor responses from Postbank customer service when they try to resolve the problems. One beneficiary, Siphokazi Sporo Chawekazi James, wrote: “Am using Postbank but I didn’t get the money.” Another warned others directly: “Stop using those card at ATM you gonna have problems just do cash backs.”

The complaints come as Postbank is enforcing a hard deadline of 31 August 2026 for all SASSA Postbank gold card holders to switch to the black Mastercard-linked card. Postbank has confirmed there will be no extension. Any beneficiary who has not switched by that date risks missing their September grant entirely when the old gold card is deactivated.

The replacement card is free and requires only a valid South African ID. You do not need to visit a SASSA office or fill in any forms. Swaps are available at Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer and Spar. Until problems with ATM transactions are resolved, beneficiaries experiencing issues should use the cash-back option at grocery retailers instead of ATM withdrawals. If your payment is missing after switching cards, contact Postbank directly on 0800 5354 55. You can also redirect your grant to a personal bank account by visiting your nearest SASSA office.

Source: The South African — “‘Stop using it at the ATM’: SASSA grant beneficiaries share Black Card warning” — 23 July 2026