Sassa accused of corruption

They claimed that Sassa officials posted at the KaBokweni-based satellite offices are demanding bribes from potential social relief grant beneficiaries.

Lowvelder Express has reliably learned that the problem started shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the return of the R350 social relief grant.

This particular satellite office, just like many other offices within the Nsikazi area, has seen an increase of ordinary members of the community who wanted to register for the R350 grants.

One of the community members, Peggy Nkosi, who alerted this newspaper about her frustrations at this particular office, said she went there to apply for the child social and relief grants but was not helped because she did not have the money allegedly demanded by the officials.

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“I first went to the Sassa offices to apply for the grants and had to go back home without being assisted because I didn’t have the money they asked for. What is saddening is the fact that we are made to stand in long queues and when we finally get to be in front, we are asked for money.

“Where are we going to get the money from? We are here to apply so that we can receive grants and feed our families,” Nkosi said. She said she has been there twice and on both occasions she was not helped.

“Those who can afford to pay the R300 bribe are easily and quickly helped. I came to apply because I am not working and in desperate need of the money,” she fumed. Nkosi went on to say that the officials told her to come back on September 22 to apply for her children’s social grant.

Another concerned applicant also shared the same sentiments and complained about the poor treatment and bad attitude he had received from the officials when applying for grants.

“The service is extremely poor at these offices and we really need an intervention from the provincial office. If they (officials) are not asking for bribes, they are mistreating us and we are left unattended for hours,” he said.

Lowvelder Express tried to obtain comment from the Sassa provincial spokesperson, Senzeni Ngobeni, but his phone rang unanswered.

However, during a recently held Sassa roadshow, Ngobeni asked communities to avoid going to the offices, but rather to consider applying via the online platforms.