A Cape Flats ward councillor says a hoax message instructing Sassa beneficiaries to collect food parcels from council offices is causing distress and confusion for struggling residents.
Bonteheuwel Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie says the message started circulating on WhatsApp last week and since then he has been inundated with hungry residents looking for kos.
The message reads:
McKenzie says a resident alerted him to the hoax.
“People have started to arrive at my office to collect their parcels and the problem is that Sassa relief cannot be collected from the City,” he says.
“It is sad to see people who are really hungry and struggling becoming victims of this and I think it is really sick and irresponsible of people to send stuff like this around.
“I am not sure if it is happening in other areas, but I have spoken to other councillors and they have not heard of it.”
Sassa spokesperson Shivani Wahab says the message is fake and they do not know the source of the message.
She adds though that those in need can apply for Sassa’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD), which is granted for a maximum of three months.
“It is a temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such dire need that they are unable to meet their or their families’ most basic needs,” says Wahab.
monique.duval@inl.co.za