For 14 years, an elderly woman has relied on her SASSA old-age grant. Yet she speaks about it with appreciation rather than resentment.
She values the support she receives every month. However, collecting that money has become increasingly difficult.
Each trip to an ATM or retail payment point brings anxiety. She cannot manage the process alone. As a result, she must depend on strangers for assistance.
Unfortunately, that trust often comes at a cost.
Vulnerable Pensioners Become Easy Targets
Every time she seeks help, she risks losing her money.
“When I ask the young ones to help me, I always get robbed,” she says, her voice steady but her words landing like an indictment.
This is not an isolated experience. Instead, it has become a recurring problem. The same situation repeats itself whenever she collects her grant.
These incidents occur in public spaces. They happen at ATMs, retail stores, and payment points. Criminals exploit elderly beneficiaries in broad daylight.
Moreover, many older South Africans face similar challenges. Across KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces, pensioners often struggle with modern payment systems.
Because they need assistance, they become easy targets for theft and fraud.
Calls for a Safer Payment System
The woman remembers a different approach. In the past, SASSA distributed grants at community halls. Those venues felt familiar and secure.
Beneficiaries collected their money among neighbours and trusted officials. Consequently, many elderly recipients felt safer.
“I wish SASSA could return to community halls,” she says. “I am struggling with the ATMs and the stores.”
Later, authorities replaced community paypoints with ATMs and retail outlets. The change aimed to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
However, the new system created fresh challenges for older beneficiaries. Many struggle to read screens or understand banking procedures.
Despite these difficulties, she remains thankful for her grant. She recalls only one payment problem during the past 14 years. SASSA resolved the issue after she reported it.
She also recognises the rising cost of food. Nevertheless, she refuses to complain.
“I am grateful for what SASSA gives me,” she says.
Still, gratitude cannot shield her from criminals. It cannot stop thieves from taking advantage of her vulnerability.
For most people, payday offers relief. For her, it brings uncertainty and fear.
Before she can use her grant, she must first navigate a risky collection process. She faces confusion, physical limitations, and dishonest strangers.
Importantly, she is not demanding a larger grant. Nor is she seeking sympathy.
Instead, she wants a safer and more accessible way to receive her money. She hopes for a return to community halls, trusted surroundings, and familiar faces.
Above all, she wants a system that protects elderly beneficiaries rather than exposing them to harm.
The post ‘I Always Get Robbed’: Elderly SASSA Beneficiaries Fear Grant-Day Crime appeared first on iHarare News.
