DA blames ANC’s ‘lack of political will’ for incessant Sassa issues
The statement follows a visit to the country's largest Sassa office.
Following a visit to the country’s largest South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) office, the DA’s Shadow Minister for Social Development in Gauteng, Bridget Masango has blamed some of the issues on a “lack of political will” from the ANC.
Masango and Angel Khanyile, DA member of the Social Development Committee, visited the De Villiers Street office on Friday, 17 August after they had received numerous complaints from activists and councillors that the office was “in disarray”. This office in particular is faced with a high influx of beneficiaries from other areas where the smaller offices cannot handle the number of beneficiaries attempting to swap their old cards for the new one.
Also Read: Concerns over Sassa cards addressed
However, this is not the only office faced with countless issues, as thousands upon thousands of Sassa offices right across South Africa are unable to migrate 2,8 million beneficiaries from the old pay-points system to the new South African Post Office (Sapo) system. Masango has reassured the public that the Department of Social Development is working towards a solution.
“We are working with Sapo to try and rectify the issues and find a solution,” Masango said. “Sassa knew about the 2,8 million beneficiaries they would have to migrate, yet they still didn’t prepare for it,” she stated. Masango also pointed out that phones at the agency’s head office in Pretoria ring unanswered.
“They’re on a go-slow, so instead of striking completely they do less work at an even slower pace, and that’s why people cannot get through when they phone,” Masango explained.
Masango admitted that “it [Sassa] is a mess”, and said that they are working on rectifying the issues.
Masango also blamed the ANC government for the problems. “The lack of political will on the part of the ANC government to assist Sassa staff is shocking, and it is a major problem.”
Finally, Masango said that if beneficiaries go to a Sassa office to be paid, but their grant doesn’t reflect in their account later on, they can send their ID number, and the slip they were given to Masango herself, who will in turn escalate the issue. You can contact Masango either on 072 714 2404 or at bmasango@parliament.gov.za.
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