The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) condemns the intimidation and disruptive behaviour by striking South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) workers.

SASSA is an entity of the National Department of Social Development. Provincial DSD has no operational control over SASSA, but does offer up office space at many of our local offices.

This week has seen violent and disruptive strike action by SASSA staff who shutdown operations at our Mitchells Plain local office on Monday, and on Tuesday DSD staff at our Gugulethu local office were intimidated and social work operations disrupted after SASSA staff stormed their offices.

Such acts and behaviour are totally unacceptable. DSD social workers render critical services and working with our society’s most vulnerable people.

Any disruption of our services has a profoundly negative effect on service delivery.

Issued by Western Cape Social Development