The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Dundee has come under fire after a video circulating online shows a SASSA official engaging in a heated argument with social grant beneficiaries, refusing to assist them and even threatening physical violence.
The video was captured after the official was confronted over her poor attitude and refusal to assist social grant clients. In the video, a woman can be heard complaining about waiting for a long time without being assisted. The official is seen threatening to throw a paper stapler at the clients and telling them that she will not assist them.
Frustrated SASSA clients then began shouting “you will help us” to which the official responded by saying: ” Come hold me so that I can help you. Come. Even if you do anything, I will not help you.”
One client then threatened to report the official to management to which she responded that she did not care.
The video has since sparked outrage and sparked discussions over poor customer service in government departments.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development Mbali Shinga said that she welcomed the swift intervention by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the province following the incident.
“MEC Shinga regrets and condemns the incident and has assured the public that such incidents and any form of misconduct or abuse of power by our officials will never be tolerated. The MEC has been assured by SASSA that upon the circulation of the video, SASSA Regional Executive Manager Thamo Mzobe initiated an investigation into the behavior that possibly violates the Code of Conduct. SASSA has profusely apologised to the affected clients and to the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” said the department in a statement.
On 20 January MEC Shinga visited the Dundee office to find out the detailed account of the incident. The visit was also intended to ensure that the department also provides emotional support to officials.
“We are here today to find out what exactly happened and to assure people that we are not taking this matter lightly. We will ensure that the investigation that has been initiated does get to the bottom of the matter. We are pleased to see that today, offices are operating as normal. We have engaged our officials and also addressed our clients to assure them that necessary actions have been taken against the said official.” said MEC Shinga.
The department also stated that the official involved had been placed on vacation leave to allow the investigation process to run smoothly and that should the leave expire before the completion of the investigation, the official will temporarily report to SASSA Glencoe Local Office.
MEC Shinga added that she understood that some officials work in very hostile environments and that there are wellness programmes to support them. She said that the department takes the safety and dignity of citizens, including officials, very seriously, and any behavior that compromises this is unacceptable.
The investigation should conclude in February 2025.
What are your thoughts on this story? Have you received poor customer service? We would love to hear from you
Indicative of the service one generally receives from all Govt Officials, they seem to forget that they are public servants!
This is typical of uneducated workers with NO COOKING CLUE… how to handle service delivery… Its a DISGRACE…MOST of the workers are PLACED in certain posts… WITH NO TRAINING NO QUALIFICATIONS AND NO NOTHING… SAW IT WHILE I WORKED AT GOVERNMENT…. AS THE OLD SAYING GOES.. “ITS NOT WHAT YOU KNOW…ITS WHO YOU KNOW”.. AND… “MONEY TALKS… BS WALKS”… 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕