Pensioners and disabled people trying to get help from the Sassa Germiston office were turned away recently.<\/p>\n
This was due to the fact that the office had no electricity.<\/p>
One pensioner told the GCN that she had been driving back and forth for over a week and each time she arrived at the office she was turned away as they couldn\u2019t help her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to know when the electricity will be restored,\u201d she said.<\/p>
Another resident said he had been trying to apply for a disability grant for his son, with no luck, due to the electricity problem at the branch.<\/p>\n
He also said the power had been off for over a week.<\/p>\n
The GCN contacted Steve Mabona, from Sassa head office, who said the electricity was off due to a misunderstanding between departments that are housed in the building and the municipality, with regards to the electricity bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease note, however, that no one was turned away, clients were assisted,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe office could not offer a full service, but as of March 19, employees were working and doing manual applications which were then captured at the Reiger Park office,\u201d Mabona said.<\/p>\n
He added that the issue was resolved amicably and power was restored and things were back to normal by March 18.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our beneficiaries and potential applicants,\u201d Mabona said.<\/p>\n