Empangeni SASSA office a health hazard
South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office at Empangeni Rail still doesn’t have public toilets.
AFTER eight months, the new South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office at Empangeni Rail still doesn’t have public toilets.
Inside, the yard is a dusty bowl full of stones and rocks.
The only shelter, which looks like an old carport, is exposed on the sides, leaving the public (which include mothers with newly-born babies) exposed to he elements.
The yard is littered with used disposable nappies with flies all over them.
Gogos and mkhulus sit exposed, waiting to be called in.
Two young schoolboys run outside the gates to the nearby bushes to relieve themselves.
An angry father told the Zululand Observer when his young son needed a toilet to relieve himself, they had to go outside into the nearby bushes.
‘People come here as early as 4am, some carrying babies, and wait outside the gate for the office to open at 7:30am.
‘Then they tell us where to go, or we wait in never ending queues. Sometimes it takes the whole day before one gets assistance.’
SASSA Senior Communications Manager Vusi Mahaye said, ‘Temporary toilets will be sent to the offices (last week), and the shelter, which used to be a carport is being walled in on the sides.’
Mahaye was adamant mothers with babies were supposed to find ways of disposing of used nappies.
