The Western Cape Department of Social Development has pledged to work with Sassa to provide better services to beneficiaries.
This comes after the new Social Development MEC Jaco Londt visited with Sassa’s provincial management earlier this week.
Londt says over the coming months, the Department would work to support Sassa to not only facilitate better services but resolve some of the challenges the agency has been plagued with.
“Sassa is a national function and thus does not fall under the province’s mandate. However, by working with Sassa, we can support our most vulnerable residents. Whenever we receive complaints or queries from the public to Sassa, we escalate these to the necessary Sassa officials to ensure that citizens receive help.
“As the Provincial Minister, I may also conduct oversight visits at Sassa offices to monitor services, and while this was the first engagement between Sassa and us, discussions revolved around the relationship between the agency and the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD), challenges experienced by Sassa and ongoing solutions, and the way forward.”
Londt says he was encouraged by Sassa’s willingness to be open about improving the working relationship it has with DSD and what this would mean for the two government bodies moving forward.
“Sassa disburses over R1.6 million grants in the Western Cape. Many of the beneficiaries are vulnerable residents who also seek services from DSD. We will hold Sassa accountable for delivering effective services to beneficiaries and protecting their dignity.”
“There are many ways we can support Sassa, and we are willing to do so. We hope this will begin a fruitful relationship that will ultimately benefit the citizen.”