Sassa beneficiary in Ermelo says she feared for her life sharing a taxi with several others
“I feared for my life since I'm not sure whether those who travelled with me in the taxi are infected or not.”
South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) beneficiaries in Ermelo began queuing up to collect their grant money on 30 March.
According to Ms Boitumelo Mauku, Sassa beneficiary, they are allowed to collect their grants from the post office, all ATMs, till points from supermarkets such as Pick ’n Pay, Game, Shoprite, Spar and Boxer to name but a few.
When the Highvelder visited the Ermelo Post Office, Ermelo Police were there to monitor the situation.
Ms Glades Maseko, an elderly beneficiary said: “I arrived at the post office this morning after a taxi-ride with seven other pensioners.
“I am not too afraid about sharing a taxi or queue with other pensioners.”
Ms Maseko stated that the grant money enables her to buy food and help out at home.
Pensioners did not adhere to social distancing at the post office and Ermelo Mall however, at Spar and Boxer people seemed to keep a fair distance between one another.
Ms Lerato Sibiya, Sassa beneficiary, said: “I didn’t have a choice but to use public transport, however, only six passengers were allowed per trip.”
“I feared for my life since I’m not sure whether those who travelled with me in the taxi are infected or not.”
Some shops are trying to enforce social distancing by putting indicators of where people need to stand on the floor, but some people still do not adhere to or take note thereof.
Ms Sibiya also said: “This grant money is very important to my family, as we do not have any other source of income.”
“I, therefore, have no choice but to share a taxi and a queue with others.”
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