Kabelo Tlhabanelo
A storm of broken glass showered the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) office in Bloemfontein on Friday, after a man went on a rampage when his R350 grant application was declined.
Eyewitness Itumeleng Moroe said he saw the 35-year-old man shouting to be given the money, before he picked up bricks and threw them at the office’s windows and glass doors.
“Then the furious man picked up bricks and smashed the glass doors of the Sassa entrance while swearing,” Itumeleng told Scrolla.Africa.
“There were mothers with their babies on their backs, old men and women. He said Sassa was taking him for a ride, as he has been there more than five times.”
The people waiting outside in the queue had to flee the scene, as shards of glass flew in every direction.
The police were called and caught the suspect.
A woman, who identified herself as Anna from Freedom Square in Mangaung, said she was scared that her four-year-old girl could be harmed.
“I was there for my child’s grant. I grabbed her hand and ran away. I thought the man could end up holding people hostage,” she said.
Free State Sassa spokesperson Sechaba Shabe said nobody was injured.
“It was not the first time that man visited the Free State office of Sassa. The man’s actions had clients attending a medical assessment, mothers with young children awaiting applications for child support grants, and officials running all over the office for cover,” he said.
Sassa is investigating the cost of the damages.
Parkweg police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said the arrested suspect was charged with malicious damage to property.
“The suspect will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 17 January,” he said.
Picture source: FreeStateSassa.
