Pensioners and people with disabilities complained about a lack of officials to facilitate their special lockdown social grant payout day.
The payouts were rescheduled to yesterday and today to accommodate those vulnerable to the Coronavirus outbreak.
People stood in line outside the Rocklands Shopping Centre, Mitchells Plain, from 5am.
With only five people able to enter at a time and the Rocklands Neighbourhood Watch on hand to control crowds, mense were highly irritated by the long wait.
Priscilla Schroeder, 66, from Tafelsig said: “It was scary to see these people so angry and threatening to break down the doors.
“I stood here since 5am and it’s 9am, I’m going inside now only to collect my money and buy some basic items.”
Piet Petersen, 62, says he was grateful for the chairs placed inside the centre, 1.5 metres apart to maintain social distancing.
A neighbourhood watch member, who did want to be identified, said: “Here is no assistance from Law Enforcement or SAPS. The crowd outside is getting impatient with every few minutes that pass.”
Mense were highly irritated by the long wait. Picture: Venecia Valentine
Meanwhile in Strand, a woman in her 30s had a seizure while queueing for her grant at Shoprite, Broadway Centre.
Here, beneficiaries stood in line without adhering to social distancing.
A man, who was with the woman, said she cannot be on her feet for too long.
An ambulance was called to take the woman to hospital.
Long wait outside Sassa pay point in Rocklands. Video: Venecia Valentine
MEC of Transport Bonginkosi Madikizela, accompanied by ANC leader Xolani Sotashe, visited the supermarket and saw for themselves how full it was.
“People are standing close to each other and that is not the supermarket’s fault. Law Enforcement should be looking at such issues.” Madikizela said.
Sotashe said he would follow up with Law Enforcement: “They must be present to look after the people. I will call them and ask them to come here.”