Sorry state of Harding’s Sassa office
The business forum said it had on numerous occasions attempted to contact high-ranking Sassa officials, but to no avail.
Serious concerns have been raised by both the community and the Harding business forum over the shocking state of the town’s only social welfare office.
This comes after a tent which was being used by the South African Social Security Services Agency (Sassa) as an office and waiting area collapsed last year due to a heavy storm.
ALSO READ : Sassa card cut-off date looms
To add to the problem, the grass around the facility has not been cut for months.
The tent is apparently still being used despite the fact that half of it has caved in, raising concerns over the safety of both staff and the public using the facility.
Both the community and the business forum have lambasted Sassa for allowing the tent to be used in its current state.
Grant beneficiary, Nolwazi Machi told the Herald it appeared as if Sassa did not care about vulnerable people, or its own workers.
“I want to know if a government minister would sit in that tent. Why are we always subjected to an ‘I don’t care attitude’ from politicians who only want our votes?” she asked.
The business forum said it had on numerous occasions attempted to contact high-ranking Sassa officials, but to no avail.
“We have a trail of emails sent to the Pietermaritzburg offices in which we request Sassa’s intervention. Not only is this a safety hazard but the state of the entire site is bad for our town. We cannot allow our people to be subjected to those conditions, it’s just not right,” said a spokesman for the business forum.
In response, Sassa communications manager, Mbizeni Mdlalose said the department was aware of the situation and was currently busy with procurement processes to appoint a new service provider to fix the waiting area.
Asked why officials from the province had allegedly turned a blind eye to requests and reports from the business forum and community, Mr Mdlalose said an internal investigation would need to be carried out to establish the cause of the delay.
He added that it was hoped the site would be fixed by next week.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
