KNYSNA NEWS - Residents who rely on South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) services will continue to have access to municipal halls after the Knysna Municipal Council have approved their free use for social grant services. The decision was made at the ordinary council meeting on 11 June.

The continued use of community halls is aimed at improving access to services for residents who may otherwise have to travel long distances to the permanent Sassa offices. 

The arrangement also helps reduce overcrowding at service centres by bringing services closer to communities.

The acting municipal manager, Boy Manqoba Ngubo, also addressed some public claims that delays in the resumption of services at municipal halls had been caused by municipal processes.

He said the municipality had offered the use of its community halls to Sassa for several months while a formal agreement was being finalised. "However, Sassa indicated that it would not utilise the facilities until a service level agreement had been concluded," he said.

Ngubo said the municipality's priority has always been to ensure uninterrupted access to services, particularly for indigent and vulnerable residents who depend on social grants.

"Any delay in the use of the halls was therefore not due to a refusal or lack of co-operation on the part of the municipality," he said.

He added that the focus should now shift to strengthening co-operation between the municipality and Sassa. "Assigning blame serves little purpose. We welcome the conclusion of the agreement and look forward to continuing our partnership with Sassa for the benefit of all residents," Ngubo said.

Council has previously allowed the free use of municipal facilities to support social development initiatives and public service programmes. The continuation of this arrangement is expected to further improve access to essential government services throughout the Greater Knysna municipal area.

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