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The GOOD Party supports the growing calls for the Postbank system to face an independent investigation.

This month, over half a million of the country’s most vulnerable citizens were let down by the state.

Due to a “technical glitch”, social grant recipients could not access their September funds from retailers or ATMs.

Yesterday, Communications Minister, Mondli Gungubele and Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu offered their apologies.

However, this apology, which we have no doubt was sincere, does not put food on the table for the pensioners and those living with disabilities who have no other access to money.
It has taken over a week for the ministers to come out and address the issue.

A lack of clear communication from government created unnecessary stress and confusion.

There have been reports of beneficiaries sleeping outside grant sites and those who could travel, made the daily trip, only to leave empty-handed every day.

Although the minister reassured the country that the issue had been resolved, there was no reassurance that this issue would not happen again.

According to human rights organisations, the Postbank payment system has been marred with technical issues since it took over payments in November 2022.

Government needs to do more to protect the most vulnerable in society.

Our country is experiencing extreme poverty with many South Africans having limited to no access to income and relying heavily on social grants.

By failing to distribute state funds, we are failing the most vulnerable.

As the GOOD Party, we are extremely supportive of government social relief efforts.

In fact, as GOOD we have long advocated for the introduction of a Basic Income Grant of at least R999.

However, government needs to improve the systems used to distribute funds.

Failing to provide a reliable service is a massive failure by the state.

The integrity of the grant payment system needs to be investigated as a matter of urgency.

Issued by GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament, Brett Herron