The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ngwathe Local Municipality has launched a petition calling for the establishment of a permanent SASSA office in Parys, with the document to be presented to the NCOP Petitions Commission.
Read more: SASSA Status Check 2026: How to Check Your Grant Application
Weekly visits failing Parys residents
SASSA officials currently visit Parys only on Wednesdays. Residents who cannot resolve their queries in a single visit must return the following week. Paper-based application forms are not available on site, forcing residents to obtain and print the forms at their own expense before returning.
Service point at Fezile Dabi Stadium
With the Municipal Hall under renovation, SASSA has been operating from the Fezile Dabi Stadium. DA Councillor JP de Villiers said elderly pensioners are forced to wait in the open with no proper shelter, no disability access and no dignified waiting area for confidential consultations.
“A stadium is not a fit-for-purpose venue for processing sensitive social grant applications,” De Villiers said in the press release.
Power outages halting service
De Villiers said power outages at the venue have brought service delivery to a complete halt, leaving residents who waited for hours with no assistance and no choice but to return the following Wednesday.
With winter approaching, the DA warned that elderly residents and pensioners will be expected to queue in the dark and cold before sunrise to be served.
DA’s call to action
The DA argues that communities of comparable size across South Africa already have permanent SASSA offices and that Parys should not be overlooked. The party is urging residents, business owners and community organisations to sign the petition.
“Our residents deserve daily access to reliable, dignified social services,” De Villiers said. “They should not have to stand in the cold before sunrise, print their own forms, or travel to a makeshift service point only to be turned away because the power is out or the system is offline.”
About this article
Nuusflits is a South African news publication covering current affairs, social grants and consumer information. This article is sourced from official primary sources, including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the Department of Social Development, the National Treasury and SAnews. Facts are verified against the published 2026/27 social grant schedule and current SASSA policy. Last updated 21 May 2026.
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