Cloetesville SASSA Withdraws Assistance. The gang violence in Cloetesville has resulted in the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) no longer using the Eikestad Hall, located in Lang Road in Cloetesville, as a service point to assist community members as of July.
Impact Of Gang Violence On SASSA Services
According to Mario Slingers, the caretaker at Eikestad Hall, the increasing gang violence in the area has led to the decision to cease SASSA services at this location. When there is shooting and gang violence in Cloetesville, the gates to Eikestad Hall are closed to ensure the safety of the community members.
Role Of SASSA
SASSA assists people in applying for social grants such as child support, disability, foster care, pensions, and care dependency. These services are usually provided at designated service points.
New Service Point: Klapmuts Multi-Purpose Centre
The new service point for Cloetesville community members is now the Klapmuts Multi-Purpose Centre, which is more than 14 km away from Cloetesville. This change has posed significant challenges for the community.
The Threat Of Gang Violence
While gang violence does not occur within the premises of Eikestad Hall, it remains a significant issue in the surrounding community. Community members often arrive at the hall as early as 6:00 AM, which means they walk in the darkness of the early morning hours, often alone, making them vulnerable to gang violence.
Transportation Challenges
The distance from Cloetesville to the Klapmuts Multi-Purpose Centre is 14.2 km. Travelling this distance requires money for transportation that many community members cannot afford. Joshwin Jacobs, a resident of Cloetesville, pointed out that the lack of transport is a major issue, particularly for the elderly, mothers with small children, and others who need to walk in pairs or groups for safety.
Continued Use of Eikestad Hall By UIF
Despite SASSA no longer using Eikestad Hall as a venue, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) continues to use the hall to carry out its services. Jacobs mentioned that he now has to use a taxi or pay someone to take him to Klapmuts.
SASSA Service Point History
During the Covid-19 pandemic, SASSA used StellCARE, a local non-profit organization in Stellenbosch, as a service point. After the pandemic, SASSA reached an agreement with the municipality to use Eikestad Hall in Cloetesville.
Communication Issues And Community Confusion
On July 2, SASSA put up a sign outside Eikestad Hall informing community members that their new service point would be Klapmuts. However, many community members were not adequately informed, leading to confusion. Members turned to StellCARE for verification of rumors that SASSA had stopped serving the Cloetesville community.
Safety Concerns
The decision to stop SASSA services at Eikestad Hall was due to safety risks from ongoing gang violence. This information was confirmed by Bettie Nieuwoudt, the director of StellCARE, after her inquiry.
Conclusion
The gang violence in Cloetesville has forced SASSA to relocate its service point, creating significant challenges for community members who now face longer travel distances and additional transportation costs. Despite efforts to maintain services, the safety of the community remains a primary concern. SASSA did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.