MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A member of the public has voiced their concerns about the alleged long waiting times and offline systems at the Thusong Centre in KwaNonqaba, where Sassa matters are handled.
The person who approached Mossel Bay Advertiser and who wishes to remain anonymous says she and her husband have visited the centre every Monday for three weeks now, from 7 July.
Like many grant recipients, they had to travel to Mossel Bay from where they reside in Brandwag, as the centre is the nearest office where Sassa issues can be handled. They had to undergo an in-person verification process, which has yet to be completed.
She is most concerned about senior citizens having to stand outside the centre in the cold weather, waiting for help for hours on end. "You stand in a long queue from 03:00 in the morning, just to be told the system is offline by 10:00," she says.
Another grant recipient, who also wishes to remain anonymous, told the Advertiser she has been visiting the centre for two months thus far, but has left unsuccessful each time.
No grants suspended
In a statement released on 7 July, Sassa assured all grant recipients that no social grants had been suspended, and explained that the delay was a result of some recipients being flagged for possibly having undisclosed income.
Over 200 000 beneficiaries have been flagged and must verify their details to continue receiving grants, by undergoing in-person interviews at Sassa offices.
During a briefing on Monday 14 July, Sassa's CEO, Themba Matlou, said the current review process was part of its effort to verify eligibility and curb fraud in the social grant system.
Sassa responds
Long queues outside Sassa offices have been a long-standing point of frustration for South Africans, even before the in-person verification process had gone into effect.
Clive Jansen, Sassa's executive support manager, told the Advertiser that in Mossel Bay alone, more than 2 000 beneficiaries have been directly affected by this process, contributing to the significant increase in foot traffic at the Thusong Centre.
Jansen acknowledged that this centre in particular is enduring a shortage of staff, which has put a strain on the office. "Where capacity does not allow for same-day service, clients are given scheduled return appointments to avoid repeated long waits," he said.
He added that the staff conduct daily sessions to explain the review process and manage expectations while grant recipients are in lined up in the queue.
Beneficiaries may also access the Sassa Online Application System as an alternative to physically accessing a Sassa office for services, Jansen said.
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