Mayor intervenes as Sassa service issues persist in eMalahleni

Long queues, early closures, and frustration: eMalahleni residents have been struggling to access Sassa services for months.

April 30, 2026

Simangele Khoza 1 minute read

The mayor leads efforts to resolve ongoing Sassa service issues following long-standing community complaints.(Picture: Supplied.)

The mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality, Clr Vusi Nhlapho, has led a walkabout engagement with officials from the South African Social Security Agency and the Department of Social Development in an effort to improve service delivery in eMalahleni.

The visit, conducted on April 28, forms part of ongoing interventions following concerns raised by residents during Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultations.

Community members have consistently highlighted challenges in accessing Sassa services, including long queues, early closing times, and the strain placed on elderly residents and people living with disabilities.

Many are forced to arrive in the early hours of the morning, only to leave without receiving assistance. These problems are not new.

Witbank News has been reporting on the ongoing issues since last year, reflecting growing frustration among residents.

Sassa is failing the communityhttps://t.co/n8ECpEER7h #Sassa #Witbank #witbanknews #government #grants pic.twitter.com/UrU9730Dus
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) January 30, 2026

In response, the municipality has taken a proactive role in mediating between stakeholders and identifying practical solutions to improve access.

Several municipal facilities have been earmarked and are being considered to better accommodate Sassa operations and ease pressure on existing service points.

Sassa has launched its new e-life certification platform, making it easier for beneficiaries to stay verified without leaving home

Read more here: https://t.co/Kj0xjMdc8M #WitbankNews #Emalahleni #Sassa pic.twitter.com/53WInUT7HZ
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) April 26, 2026