Question NW2286 to the Minister of Social Development

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22 July 2022 - NW2286

Profile picture: Abrahams, Ms ALA

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether, with regard to a recent oversight visit to the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) local offices in Khayelitsha where it was said that building renovations will commence in July 2022, he has been informed of the renovations that will commence; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) plans has SASSA put in place in order to ensure uninterrupted services to SASSA clients in Khayelitsha and (b) are the cost implications attached should the SASSA office have to be temporarily relocated?

Reply:

1. (a) The Department of Public Works and Transport – Western Cape has informed, SASSA Western Cape that they will be undertaking renovation on the state owned building. 

Previously when the first phase of maintenance was implemented, the office was temporarily vacated and relocated to the Women in Action office in Eerste Rivier.

Currently SASSA has signed a lease agreement for a site in Khayelitsha known as Bikitsha. Services will be rendered from this site.

SASSA is further engaging with the City of Cape Town for the rental of the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU) programme sites that have already been renovated and are fit for occupation in Harare; Khayelitsha Resource Centre, Kuyasa Library and City of Cape Town halls. These sites will enable the services to remain in Khayelithsa.

SASSA has contacted the Sub Council 10 to assist with identifying alternative accommodation, and engagements with VPUU management are being made to with them before end of June 2022.

The Bikitsha site was a planned additional site for services to be delivered in Khayelitsha

SASSA will incur costs for the following:

  1. Cost of Temporary Accommodation
  2. Cost of Transportation of SASSA assets from current office to new site or storage
  3. Cost for labourers
  4. Storage costs
  5.  Cost of lease / rental of furniture and equipment to be used at alternative site.
  6. Additional hire costs for Cleaning and Security

    -The City of Cape Town still needs to advise SASSA on the cost implications of the VPUU site and the other municipal venues

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