The IFP says that it has many concerns regarding the way Sassa has been transformed from a social security agency into an agent for the ruling party that is using taxpayer funds to garner votes.
The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) last week signed up scores of Bluff residents in Durban at the ANC councillors’ offices near Tara Road, after they had been promised food parcels valued at R1 270.
“This is not the first time. In January this year in Mbashe, food parcels were distributed during by-elections in 12 wards. This shows Sassa to be an agent of the ruling party,” said IFP Provincial Secretary, Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa.
“People must understand that taking food parcels does not force them to vote for the ruling party” said Hlabisa. “They will be alone in those ballot boxes and they can vote for anybody they like. It is unfortunate that people are told that the ruling party will know who they have voted for, and they believe that. It is these vulnerable people that the ruling party is getting votes from. It is sad, as the ruling party is going to abandon them after the elections. People are unemployed and hungry! The ruling party must create decent jobs for people, not play with people for their own advancement” said Hlabisa.
The IFP calls on the Public Protector to investigate the distribution of food parcels. In addition, Sassa must be disbanded and an independent non-government organisation (NGO) must be appointed because the current institution is being used as a weapons against the people it is supposed to serve.
