Why SASSA offices are experiencing service disruptions this week

This week, regular service at SASSA offices will be interrupted due to security guards striking at several branches. GroundUp reports South African Social Security Agency offices in the Western Cape were closed on Tuesday 13 August 2024 as a result of the action.

In a calculated move to disrupt service at SASSA offices, the affected branches of the agency include:

• Athlone
• Vredenburg
• Khayelitsha
• Cape Town
• Eerste River
• Mitchells Plain
• Robertson
• Beaufort West

SERVICE AT SASSA OFFICES DISRUPTED

It’s a disruption new Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe could do without as applicants prepare for September 2024 SASSA grants. Earlier in August, a scam over pensioners being able to apply for additional Older Persons funds created unwanted confusion for elderly beneficiaries.

Nevertheless, SASSA promised to put contingency plans in place to counteract the security guard strike. Annelize Bester, SASSA regional executive manager in the Western Cape, said some locations had to be closed on Tuesday due to the strike. And branches in Gugulethu, Oudtshoorn, George, Worcester, Witzenberg, Vredendal, Wynberg, Paarl, Bellville, and Grabouw were open, albeit only at reduced capacity.

WHAT CAUSED THE STRIKE?

There is allegedly an ongoing dispute between the security company and SASSA employees. The nature of which is unclear. The agency was only notified about the Tuesday strike late on Monday afternoon. Discussions to resolve the dispute with the security company continue. The agency apologised for affected service at SASSA offices.

But that’s scant consolation for the elderly, parents with young children, and disabled who travel from far for an appointment. Nevertheless, Bester says alternative appointment dates will be arranged for those affected. “We profusely apologise to clients for the inconvenience caused. And we assure them that we will try our utmost best to ensure that services are rendered in a safe and secure environment,” concluded Bester.

LONG QUEUES AND POOR SERVICE

Unfortunately, the likelihood of appointments being effectively rescheduled is minimal. The residents who lost a day this week will probably have to wait even longer for service next time as backlogs mounts. Because, as GroundUp also reports, most social grant beneficiaries wake up before dawn to get to a SASSA office.

Many opt to brave wintery weather and sleep outside the offices to ensure they get help. Grant recipients who have to transact SASSA business say that even at 07h00, the queue is 90 people or longer. Moreover, beneficiaries say tardy service and long queues at branches has not changed in three years. You can wait the whole day and still not get let into the building. Where possible, SASSA says you can use its online platform to apply for a grant appointment.