In October 2025, the delay of SASSA Old Age Grants for the South African pensioners was a major issue that brought about worries and irritations throughout the country. Funds were received late in different provinces due to technical glitches involving SASSA and its associated banks. SASSA has recognized the turmoil and requested the retirees for their understanding until the matter is sorted out.
The processing of the grants was delayed by a month which impacted the most vulnerable people relying on such grants for their basic needs like food, medicines, and utility services. The disturbance in the cash flow was a pretty big ordeal for many, as it caused not just a financial strain but also a psychological barrier, as their trust in SASSA’s payment system was shaken.
Root Cause: A Breakdown Between PayInc and Capitec
On October 2, 2025, numerous pensioners who had gotten messages that their payments were ready could not take their money out from ATMs or retail cash points. Among the influencer group, around 15,000 Capitec Bank clients were affected in that they could not withdraw money despite getting payment confirmation.
The matter originated from a technical integration malfunction between PayInc and Capitec that kept banks from processing withdrawals while at the same time letting through payment confirmations. Hence, while pensioners were being informed that their funds were ready for collection, the back end bank systems had not completed the transactions.
SASSA’s Response and Speedy Recovery
SASSA’s answer came quickly, revealing that they were already in touch with Capitec and the South African Reserve Bank, and that they were indeed sorting out the major issue concerning funds through the involved banks. The affected pensioners were offered apologies and the technical support units worked throughout the night to bring back the services.
SASSA’s statement of October 3 claimed that the payments which had been delayed were actually sent out, thereby providing relief to a lot of people especially in the areas heavily hit by the issue. Their major complaints came from the Western Cape region, SASSA promised that they would find out the cause of the problem and explain it to the concerned pensioners.
SASSA told the pensioners that they could still use other ways to sort out their issues if it was the case, which could be Capitec’s support line 0860 10 20 43 or the SASSA helpline 0800 60 10 11.
The Broader Impact: More Than Just a Delay
Pensioners that received their payments late had to change the order of their first needs from groceries to medicines, paying for utilities or even waiting for the next payment. These problems grow and create even bigger difficulties when the late payments are done in silence.
A major financial strain is not the only consequence of delays that are repeated, but certainly they are the major cause of undermining trust in the system. If it reaches a point that pensioners are not sure when their funds will be deposited, SASSA’s social safety network is rendered useless.
What Pensioners Can Do Next
If the payment to pensioners hasn’t been made yet, these are the steps they can try:
- Be patient — a lot of the delayed payments were processed on the 3rd of October.
- Look at your bank account and SASSA messages — sometimes the money has been deposited but you have not yet been able to withdraw through the ATM.
- Call the relevant helplines — get in touch with Capitec at 0860 10 20 43 or SASSA at 0800 60 10 11 having your ID, SASSA number, and bank details ready.
- Go to a nearby SASSA office — maybe you need to resolve the matter in person. While talking to the staff, write down the reference numbers and the names of the staff.
Preventing Future Disruptions
The article suggests that to prevent delays in the future, strong ties should be built among the payment processors, banks, and government systems. Each of them should have backup measures in place so that payments can still go through even if one partner goes down. Regular system testing and open communication with the beneficiaries might help in identifying problems before payment days.
Also Read: SASSA R12,500 Youth Grant 2025: Province-Wise Cut-Off Dates, Age & Income Eligibility