Cape Town Pensioner Suffers Heart Attack While Waiting for Sassa Payments Amidst Postbank System Glitch

Cape Town Pensioner Suffers Heart Attack While Waiting for Sassa Payments Amidst Postbank System Glitch. In a distressing incident in Cape Town, a pensioner named Johanna Gryzenhout endured a heart attack while queuing for her Sassa (South African Social Security Agency) grant payment. This unfortunate event unfolded amidst Postbank’s efforts to rectify a system malfunction that had left hundreds of thousands of social grant recipients without their rightful funds.

Desperate Wait at the Kuils River Post Office

Johanna Gryzenhout, a 61-year-old pensioner, found herself among the many anxious grant recipients who had gathered at the local Shoprite store, hoping to discover the arrival of her R2,090 grant. After several failed attempts to confirm the deposit, Gryzenhout stood in the queue with mounting anxiety.

Panic and Heartache

Speaking from her hospital bed at Netcare Kuils River Hospital, Gryzenhout recalled the distressing morning. “I remember that morning so well. I went to the shop early hoping my money would be in. Again, it wasn’t,” she said. As a chronic heart patient, she depended on this money to cover the cost of her medication, which her medical aid did not fully cover. The realization that her funds had not arrived left her feeling sick and helpless.

Heart Attack Strikes

Unable to bear the stress any longer, Gryzenhout left the queue, overwhelmed by dizziness and a sharp chest pain. The intensity of the pain was so severe that she feared losing consciousness. She was rushed to the hospital and received timely medical intervention, narrowly escaping a tragic fate.

The Impact of Stress and Medication

Doctors diagnosed Gryzenhout with a heart attack brought on by extreme stress and anxiety compounded by her inability to access her necessary medication. Reflecting on her ordeal, she expressed her sorrow, hurt, and anger at how Sassa had treated elderly citizens like her.

Postbank Response

Postbank spokesperson Bongani Diako provided assurance that, according to their records, all outstanding Sassa grant payments had been successfully processed, addressing the system glitch that occurred on September 5 and 6. Diako also mentioned that efforts to reverse funds into affected beneficiaries’ accounts had been completed. Many beneficiaries had been able to access their money through ATMs and retailers. Postbank urged those with payment concerns to contact them.

Attempts to Defraud the System

Postbank disclosed instances of attempted fraud by individuals hoping to receive double payments. Diako emphasized that their systems were rigorous and such attempts would fail. He condemned this behavior and expressed intentions to report it to law enforcement agencies.

A Hopeful Recovery

Johanna Gryzenhout, while recovering in the hospital, expressed her hope that her Sassa money would be available for collection upon her discharge. As a pensioner relying solely on this income, she had been unable to meet her basic needs since the beginning of the month.

Community Support

Ward councillor Ebrahim Sawant, learning of Gryzenhout’s predicament, offered assistance with food until her funds arrived. Sawant strongly criticized Sassa for its treatment of pensioners, describing it as “disgraceful.”

Concerns of Advocacy Groups

Evashnee Naidoo, Black Sash regional manager, highlighted the fear among beneficiaries who were changing their grant receipt method to commercial banks in light of recent disruptions. She called on Sassa to work collaboratively to provide a clear plan and alleviate the concerns of beneficiaries.