Umlazi SASSA temporary service point long queues, Digi Mart USA News (Umlazi, South Africa): Umlazi residents seeking social grants have complained about long queues, inconsistent service and repeated visits to a temporary South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) service point, according to a report published by IOL. They are calling on the agency to speed up efforts to secure permanent accommodation.
Beneficiaries are currently being assisted at D Section Community Hall after the Umlazi SASSA offices closed in October. The Department of Employment and Labour declared the premises unsafe.
The closure took effect on October 21 following an inspection that found several safety concerns, including loose electrical cables coming into contact with water and the risk of the roof collapsing. Labour inspectors issued a prohibition notice ordering the immediate closure of the premises.
Residents interviewed by the publication described long waits, including one woman who said she had been queuing since 6am without being attended to, and another who arrived shortly after 4am. Some said they had been asked to return with updated bank statements or had been turned away over a payslip.
Residents also said officials are only available at the community hall on Tuesdays and Fridays, that attendance is inconsistent, and that they are not told in advance when officials will be unavailable.
The building is owned by the provincial Department of Public Works and had been allocated to SASSA. SASSA provincial spokesperson Mbizeni Mdlalose said the agency advised beneficiaries to use nearby offices after the prohibition notice and that the municipality made community halls available.
He said SASSA is at an advanced stage of securing permanent alternative accommodation and will announce the new premises once they are ready and relevant stakeholders have been engaged.
