A SASSA official in Dundee, who was videoed exchanging words with a social grant recipient and threatened to throw what looked like an office stamp at the person, has been placed on "vacation leave".
"Should the leave expire before the completion of the investigation, the official will temporarily report to the Sassa Glencoe Local Office," said a statement issued by the KZN Department of Social Development this week.
According to the statement, Thamo Mzobe, the Sassa Regional Executive Manager, initiated the investigation into the official's behaviour, which "possibly violates the Code of Conduct".
The incident was recorded by an "angry client" who had visited the offices and could not immediately receive the desired assistance, added the statement.
Mbali Shinga, the KZN MEC for Social Development, subsequently visited the Sassa offices for a detailed account of the incident. The visit was also intended to ensure the department provided emotional support to officials.
"We will ensure that the investigation that has been initiated does get to the bottom of the matter. We are pleased to see that today the offices are operating as normal. We have engaged our officials and also addressed our clients to assure them that necessary actions have been taken against the said official,” said Shinga.
The decision to place the official on vacation leave, said the statement, demonstrated Sassa's commitment to addressing allegations of misconduct and ensuring its officials uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is investigating a viral video, showing one of its officials at Dundee local offices shouting and disrespecting social grants clients. Video: X/ _mashesha Read on https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/report-me-i-dont-care-sassa-to-probe-kzn-official-in-viral-video-shouting-at-social-grant-clients-6c7dcb09-806f-4864-8e83-e6058d2bf347
"As the MEC responsible for social development, I am steadfast in my commitment to promoting a culture of accountability and transparency within our department and agencies. I applaud Sassa for taking swift action and assure the public that we will continue to monitor the situation and ensure the necessary steps are taken to address any wrongdoing.”
Shinga added that she understood some officials worked in hostile environments and there were wellness programmes to support them. She said the department took the safety and dignity of citizens, including their officials, seriously.
Sassa had apologised to the affected clients and the people of KZN, read the statement.
In another statement, Shontel de Boer, the DA KZN Spokesperson on Social Development, said they welcomed Shinga's fact-finding mission visit.
She said Sassa clients were amongst the province's most vulnerable citizens and they deserved better.
Referring to the official, De Boer said the "individual’s conduct is also in direct contravention of the Code of Conduct and Batho Pele principles which officials must abide by".
The investigation is expected to be concluded in a month.