Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, South African Post Office and Postbank meet to resolve challenges facing these two entities
The Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, led by Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, met with board members and senior executives of the South African Post Office (SAPO) and Postbank respectively. The meeting with SAPO was held last week, while the one with the Postbank was held today. As advised by the Department, the Minister, together with senior officials from the Department, held a Special General Meeting to discuss the following issues:
· Distribution of Special Social Relief of Distress grants for COVID-19 of R350
· Status of Disciplinary Process on senior executives currently on suspension
· Service Level Agreements between SAPO and Postbank
· SASSA Card Fraud at SAPO and Postbank
· Digitization of banking services to be more efficient
The special general meetings come after the Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams raised concerns about the Post Office and Postbank’s handling of the Covid-19 Special Social Relief of Distress Grant distribution. The Minister’s concerns included pay points running out of cash on payment dates.
In April, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined additional Coronavirus (COVID-19) economic and social relief measures, amongst them was a special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for the payable to unemployed South African citizens, not receiving any form of social grant.
Following the announcement by the President, board members of SAPO and Postbank made a commitment to Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams to work together in ensuring the successful payments of the Special Social Relief of Distress grants.
Minister Ndabeni- Abrahams implored the respective board members to fast track the digitization of banking services to be more efficient. The Postbank board explained in this meeting that there has been significant decline in the card fraud on SASSA cards. While this reduction is commendable, Minister Ndabeni has stressed the importance of being vigilant in fighting fraud.
Both board members from Post Office and Postbank undertook to resolve all the concerns raised by the Minister as a matter of urgency. Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams is scheduled to meet with the Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu next week.
Enquiries:
Mish Molakeng
Cell: 082 469 3997
