Sassa offices in Khayelitsha township, Cape Town, had to close after six masked and armed thugs ran into the building after overpowering security guards and stealing laptops and cellphones from the staff.
The offices in Kuyasa were closed after they were attacked at about 12.30pm on Thursday and did not open until Monday. This forced beneficiaries who had appointments on Thursday afternoon and Friday to go home empty-handed.
Resident Luzuko Mpoco, 40, fears that residents soon won’t be getting important services in their area.
“Criminals have been so busy the whole week, terrorising government institutions. They are robbing schools, libraries, and now even Sassa,” said Mpoco.
“I feel sorry for beneficiaries who didn’t have money to travel to other Sassa offices. I wish the criminals could see the pain they are causing when robbing these institutions. It is their mothers, sisters, and kids who are suffering.”
Shivani Wahab, Sassa spokesperson in Western Cape, said: “Assets were stolen. The office was subsequently closed from Friday for a staff debriefing and counselling session.
“Beneficiaries have the option of accessing an alternate Sassa office. In the interim, the Sassa online application system may also be accessed for social grant applications via the Sassa website.”
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said the robbers threatened the security personnel and staff members and took an undisclosed amount of cellphones and laptops.
No injuries were reported, no one has been arrested, and a case of business robbery has been opened for investigation.
Pictured above: Sassa.
Image source: Sassa
