Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Hendriette van Huyssteen
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for urgent action to restore SASSA services in Matlosana after severe water shortages forced local offices to close their doors.
The DA has written to the MEC for Social Development, Susanna Dantjie, asking her to step in immediately to ensure grant beneficiaries are not left stranded. The Party has also written to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Gaoage Molapisi, to engage with the Matlosana Local Municipality and urgently address the water crisis disrupting these vital services. (see letters attached here and here)
A notice issued by SASSA on 11 July confirmed that the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Branch and the Matlosana Local Office are closed until further notice. Beneficiaries have been told to use the toll-free number, email, or the online portal, or to postpone visits altogether.
This comes while SASSA is conducting its beneficiary review process, which requires people to visit their local office with the correct documents. With no working office, beneficiaries cannot complete this process and risk losing their only source of income.
While the DA supports proper reviews to protect public funds, it is unacceptable to place extra burdens on beneficiaries without providing them with working offices to submit their documents and get help.
The DA will continue to push for immediate solutions so that SASSA can reopen its doors and Matlosana’s most vulnerable residents can access the support they are entitled to.