The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed that it resolved a delay in social grant payments that affected some pensioners attempting to access their October grants on Thursday.
SASSA spokesperson Andile Tshona confirmed that approximately 15,000 beneficiaries did not receive their grants due to a technical issue between PayInc (the payments clearing house formerly known as BankservAfrica) and Capitec Bank.
“The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) can confirm that approximately 15,000 beneficiaries who did not receive their social grants on Thursday, 2 October 2025, will be paid today, Friday, 3 October 2025,” Tshona said.
Technical teams from SASSA, Capitec, and PayInc worked around the clock to resolve the issue.
Tshona added that beneficiaries still experiencing difficulties can contact Capitec on 0860 10 20 43 or the SASSA call centre on 0800 60 10 11.
“SASSA, Capitec, and PayInc extend their sincere apologies to all the beneficiaries affected by the technical challenge,” Tshona said.
Human rights organisation Black Sash expressed concern over the delay, highlighting the vulnerability of grant recipients.
Executive Director Rachel Bukasa said:
“While we welcome that payments have since been restored, we remain deeply concerned about the ongoing instability of the social grants payment system. These ‘technical challenges’ have devastating consequences for beneficiaries who rely on these funds as their only source of income. Even a day’s delay can mean going without food, medicine, transport, or other essential needs.”
Black Sash urged SASSA and its payment partners to implement robust safeguards to prevent future failures, emphasizing that the constitutional right to social security must be honoured with reliability, accountability, and urgency.
VOC News
Photo: Supplied
