Dear Editor

I am writing to formally raise concerns regarding ongoing issues at the local SASSA offices, which appear to stem largely from miscommunication between staff and beneficiaries.

The current situation is causing significant frustration among members of the public.

Many individuals report arriving as early as 04:00, only to wait until approximately 14:00 before being turned away due to the system being offline.

There is a widespread perception that the system consistently goes offline after lunch, further exacerbating dissatisfaction.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about staff members remaining at their desks without attending to those waiting.

It has also been noted that SASSA personnel are not wearing name badges, limiting accountability. Communication barriers present another major issue, as announcements are reportedly made in isiZulu only, despite the presence of individuals who do not understand the language. This has contributed to confusion and a lack of clarity.

Although a manager addressed the crowd after several hours, the information provided did not adequately resolve concerns, and uncertainty remains.

Furthermore, there have been anonymous complaints regarding alleged bribery; however, individuals are hesitant to come forward due to fear of victimisation or having their grants affected.

There is also a serious lack of basic facilities, such as access to toilets. This is particularly concerning for elderly and unwell individuals who are required to wait for extended periods.

Given the above, we kindly request that this matter be urgently investigated and that clear, consistent communication be established to assist beneficiaries effectively.

The current situation is not only inefficient but also deeply distressing for those who rely on these essential services.

Please note that many individuals are reluctant to be identified due to fear of repercussions, which further complicates the situation.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Your assistance in resolving these issues and restoring confidence in the system would be greatly appreciated.

Proactive Residents of Newcastle

SASSA responds:

“Thank you for raising these concerns and bringing this to our attention. As SASSA KZN, we take these concerns very seriously and are actively attending to it,” said Mbizeni Mdlalose (Senior Manager: Human Capital Management).

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