Call to urgently resolve SASSA security guard strike

The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez calls for an urgent resolution to the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) security guard strike, as this has a direct impact on service delivery to the most vulnerable in the province.

Presently, SASSA Western Cape renders services at the following buildings owned and used by the Western Cape Government: Mitchells Plain, Gugulethu, Eerste River, Bergriver and Hessequa service centres.

While DSD continues to render services to our clients at the Mitchells Plain office, the police have been called to address threats from irate SASSA clients at this site.

“I am deeply concerned about the impact of this situation on DSD clients – many who are vulnerable and already dealing with trauma – as well as the staff who serve them. I therefore call on SASSA to take urgent steps to resolve this matter,” says Minister Fernandez.

SASSA is a national entity that reports directly to the National Department of Social Development and does not form part of provincial departments.  

We have previously noted the following concerns, as it relates to the above-mentioned shared facilities: 

• The well-being of vulnerable clients who are waiting for hours in the cold while queuing for SASSA services;
• Due to congested offices, the inability to render psycho-social support and other social development services to vulnerable citizens;
• Security and safety of DSD staff due to a lack of service delivery when SASSA officials don't honour commitments to community engagements and;
• The labour issues between SASSA employees and management affecting DSD services.

"I am appealing to National Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu and the CEO of SASSA to convene an urgent meeting, as communicated to me telephonically on 2nd August, 2022. We need to act swiftly to address this crisis," says Minister Fernandez.