Sassa workers in Khayelitsha got a helse skrik on Wednesday when angry beneficiaries stormed into the offices, demanding service.
People, who have been sleeping outside the office so that they can be first in line, say the workers are slow and are turning them away “for no reason”.
The mense make fires outside to keep warm and on Wednesday said they are gatvol.
“Sassa did not operate for a week after the storm,” says Nomatha Velebhayi from Site C.
“They said the roof was leaking and caused flooding, but we kept sleeping here.
“They failed to tell us they will close for a long time and today we wanted to teach them a lesson or two.”
CAMP: Fire started to keep mense warm
Police were called in to intervene the unruly crowd while scared workers hid themselves, afraid of getting moered.
Some, like Sibongile Koba, came to inquire about the R350 Covid-19 TERS relief grant which they say has still not been paid.
“They think they are doing us a favour,” an angry Sibongile tells the Daily Voice.
“They tell us about taking only a certain number of people to assist per day, but they just want to go home early.”
“If the police did not come so quick, we would have taught them a lesson.”
Sassa admitted last week that 85% of TERS applications they have rejected do actually qualify for the grant and they were working to fix this.
Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said: “They have been approved and are being made aware of this development individually as and when such favourable decision is reached.”
Everyone affected will receive an SMS requesting their banking details.