Many residents in Khayelitsha were left hanging on Thursday morning, after the South Africa Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) office in Khayelitsha closed, without notice.
The building out of which SASSA operates in Khayelitsha is
currently undergoing renovations. However, the Western Cape’s Social
Development Department, which operates from the same building, has made
contingency plans to continue serving Khayelitsha residents through home visits
during this period.
DA Western Cape Social Development Spokesperson, Dan Plato
raised concerns on the closure of the facility.
‘’This closure represents yet another in a long line of
failures by SASSA in the area as for months SASSA clients have complained about
long queues and waiting hours. It is an indictment on SASSA that the most
vulnerable, especially those with disabilities and the elderly, had to make
trips to the office today without any warning about the office’s closure.’’
‘’At a time at which the rising cost of living has made the
social security net more vital than ever, SASSA continues to drop the ball.
SASSA must account for its failures, not only to government, but to the people
it serves.’’
Plato says he will be visiting the site to engage with
SASSA clients
‘’ (I) will demand answers from the entity on behalf of the
many stranded beneficiaries. We must ensure that the social security net is in
safe hands, and that grant recipients are not left high and dry by incompetence
and uncaring attitudes.’’
PICTURE: SASSADone By: Mitchum George
No comments:
Post a Comment