Sassa pensioners unite in protest for fairness and dignity at Parliament
A group of pensioners and supporters marched to Parliament yesterday, demanding a full review of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), citing discrimination and systematic failure in government.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
On Tuesday, 150 pensioners and their supporters gathered to march to Parliament, driven by frustration over long queues, system failures, unpaid grants, and discriminatory treatment by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
Organiser Pat Lee emphasised that this protest represents a collective struggle, not just isolated incidents, as they demand a comprehensive review of the agency's practices.
“This is not for just a specific group of people, but for everybody who is a Sassa pensioner from all walks of life, colours, and creed, and we know that our voices will be heard. This is the time now to show up and to come together in unity,” Lee said.
The march started on the Grand Parade at the corner of Lower Buitenkant and Darling Streets, before proceeding up Buitenkant Street and turning into Roeland Street, where participants gathered outside Parliament to hand over a memorandum.
Among the marchers was 68-year-old pensioner Joy Pinn, who recounted a case at the Sassa office in Wynberg that left her shaken.
Elderly pensioners march to Parliament, calling for dignity, fairness, and a full review of Sassa.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Media
"The issue people are complaining about is the money that gets deducted without consent.
"The reviews are illegal. They are not asked to give affidavits because children help parents, so they put money in the account so it reflects differently, and they think you’re over the threshold. That’s a problem, and they are teaching people to lie," she said.
Marcher Winston Fortuin said the protest was meant to send a strong message.
"In honour of our old people, we feel that by coming here today we are saying, listen, we’ve had enough of the unfair treatment," he said.
Sassa beneficiaries and supporters take to the streets, demanding better treatment and an end to unfair reviews.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
The group said they expect Parliament to respond to their memorandum and that they will continue organising if their concerns are not addressed.
DA MP for the Social Development Portfolio, Alexandra Abrahams, collected the memorandum.
"Their list of grievances raises serious concerns affecting many seniors across the country. Issues include access to social grants, inhumane long queues, system breakdowns, unpaid grants, lack of communication, and the old age grant being inadequate to meet basic needs amid the rising cost of living.
"These grievances relate to the Sassa, an entity under the National Department of Social Development. The memorandum further outlines concerns involving the departments of Health, Police, and Transport.
"It also calls for the dignity, protection, and welfare of all seniors, regardless of race or creed, to be upheld in accordance with the Older Persons Act, 2006."
Abrahams said they will ensure this memorandum is handed over to the chairperson of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango, the Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, and the CEO of SASSA, Themba Matlou, during a scheduled in-person committee meeting today, which will address the termination of the contract between Sassa and Postbank.
"We call on Minister Tolashe to urgently address the 62% staff vacancy rate and lack of resources at Sassa offices, roll out the self-help kiosks and other online appointment booking systems to improve queue management, and vastly improve their communication with beneficiaries."
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