An urgent call has been made to SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant beneficiaries to obtain the new gold Sassa card before December 15, or they won’t be paid out in January.

The South African Post Office (Sapo) on Friday advised Sassa beneficiaries to swipe their new gold Sassa cards for items they want to buy at shops.

The DA called on Social Development Minister Susan Shabangu to intervene in what is described as a "Sassa Roodepoort disaster".

According to Sassa, there are about 500 000 Sassa beneficiaries nationally who have not yet switched to the new gold Sassa card.

The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) workers are expected to return to work today following a strike over the new biometric system implemented

Nehawu on Friday signed the settlement agreement with the minister of social development and the management of Sassa.

There was jubilation among parliamentarians when they were told that Cash Paymaster Services was no longer involved in the payment of social grants.

Billions could be lost to the fiscus after Sassa suspended its biometrics enrolment system which combated widespread grant-beneficiary fraud.

Sapo assured social grant beneficiaries that the strike involving some Sassa employees does not have an impact on the grant payments for October.

Workers downed tools on Wednesday at the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) Nehawu said.

Nehawu said it would embark on a national strike at the South African Social Security Agency due to an impasse.

The DA has also given President Cyril Ramaphosa until Friday to remove Minister for Women in the Presidency Bathabile Dlamini or face legal action.

The Democratic Alliance has laid charges of perjury against former social development Minister Bathabile Dlamini for allegedly lying under oath.

Sassa and the South African Post Office say they are ready to ensure that 17million social grant benefactors receive their monies timeously.

As the deadline for social grant recipients to upgrade their cards to the new PO gold card draws closer, Sassa maintains the process is on track in Limpopo.

CALS and the Black Sash Trust said the ruling against Bathabile Dlamini sets an important precedent for holding public officials accountable.