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Yesterday myself, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, Bridget Masango MP, and DA Ward Councillor, Sinethemba Matiwane conducted an oversight visit at the Benoni SASSA offices in Ekurhuleni.

The Benoni SASSA offices are the only SASSA offices that render services to the entire Benoni area and neighbouring suburbs.

As a result there is an overflow of people coming to access social grant services, on most days, officials service up to 200 clients per day.

There are times , particularly at the beginning and end of the month, where people have to sit in the centre's garage while waiting to be serviced, as the offices are full.

The vulnerable and the elderly endure much stress whenever they have to access SASSA services at these offices.

Some members of the public who arrive at the offices have to return back home and come back the following day due to long queues. It is alleged that the SASSA system does not accommodate more clients after 4:00 pm in the afternoon.

The offices are generally under-staffed which compromises the quality of the service being rendered to the public. Despite the fact that the officials on the ground are trying their best to do their work, the Minister is failing them by not ensuring there are sufficient Centres for the vulnerable to receive these much needed services.

This is yet another disgraceful failure by a Minister that should not still be in her job.

The DA will hold the Social Development Minister, Bathabile Dlamini, accountable in ensuring that there is adequate staff at Benoni SASSA offices. The Minister must also ensure that there are more accessible SASSA offices in Benoni and neighbouring suburbs to reduce the influx in these offices.

Issued by DA