The South African Social Security Agency in South Africa is offering millions of South African funds to needy citizens to help them earn a good life. In order to make sure every South African gets access to the basic needs of life, SASSA offers multiple types of grants to eligible candidates.
But recently a panic occurred just outside SASSA office located in Belleville, Cape Town. It happened on 23rd October on Tuesday when an individual who was standing in a long queue and waiting to collect a certain form collapsed while standing.
The individual was identified as Lwandiso Jojiwe, who was 22 years old and was diagnosed with epilepsy. He got a caesar while standing in a long line and waiting to get the form and suddenly collapsed. He came with his great aunt Nozizwe Vena.
After the scenario, she said that she along with Lwandiso Jojiwe left their home at 4:00 a.m on that day. They both reached the South African Social Security office at Bellville, Cape Town just before 6:00 a.m. after 2 hours to get a certain form.
According to her, they were there at SASSA’s office to collect a form that they have to take to provide to a doctor. This was necessary as all of this was part of a disability grant application. According to her, when they arrived around 6:00 a.m. there were long queues outside the office and lots of hustle and bustle.
She said that Jojiwe on that particular morning had not taken his epilepsy medication. They were standing there in the long queue from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and then she bought Jojiwe 3 vetkoeks at somewhere around 9:00 a.m.
She further said that after less than an hour Jojiwe experienced a seizure and suddenly collapsed. Other people who were in line assisted him and called an ambulance but the ambulance arrived one hour later at 11:30 a.m.
Nozizwe Vena also said that they arrived to apply for disability grants on Friday but officials told them that disability related cases are not handled or managed on Fridays. According to her statement,
“All we wanted was to make an appointment to see the doctor in Goodwood,”
“There’s no order here. How long is SASSA going to be like this?”
According to Jojiwe’s great aunt, when they arrived on Tuesday they found out that there was some network issue. According to her, the services resumed from 10:30 a.m. and before that all of the individuals who were in line were standing in line in order to secure their places.
Situation At Bellville Office
After this panic several different cases also came into notice about the situation at Bellville office regarding their management and less staff for management . Many beneficiaries said that they have to spend the night outside in order to secure their place in line. You can check your SASSA disability grants at srd sassa gov.co.za.
Moreover other individuals also claimed that they are being exposed to weather conditions regardless of how hard they are and they are not safe. The individuals also pointed out the lack of management and also said that there are some individuals who are charging between R 100 to R 200 to keep their place in line.
This situation created chaos in the SASSA organisation and also made the Chairperson of the Provincial Standing Committee on Social Development super active.
Wendy Kaizer Philander Visit To SASSA Bellville Office
Wendy Kaizer Philander visited the SASSA office of Belleville where the chaos happened on the same day of receiving the complaints. She said that the situation of the office and management is not satisfying because beneficiaries have to face weather and other tough elements outside while waiting for their turn.
According to her, she was not content because beneficiaries were not safe there. She particularly pointed out that there are no ablution facilities for beneficiaries and they have to walk all across the road in order to use a bathroom.
Wendy Kaizer said that the systematic issues of SASSA should be addressed urgently in order to make sure that beneficiaries are treated appropriately. She not only pointed out the situations that beneficiaries have to face but also pointed out lack of management and how ill and elderly people have to stand there in long queues to get money to buy medication and food.
According to her, the system needs immediate interventions and quick solutions to safeguard basic human rights. She said,
“No one should have to endure such conditions, where their dignity is stripped away, and their basic human rights are compromised simply to access the social assistance they are entitled to. These individuals, exposed to the elements and potential dangers while waiting for days on end, are victims of a system that is failing them. Immediate intervention is needed,”.