KNYSNA NEWS - Residents of Knysna and surrounding areas have formally petitioned Parliament, calling for urgent intervention to restore local services provided by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
The petition, addressed to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, highlights a months-long absence of Sassa services in Knysna, which residents say has left vulnerable community members without reliable access to essential social assistance.
According to the submission, Sassa services have been unavailable in the town since October 2025. As a result, beneficiaries are forced to travel to neighbouring towns to access grants and related services. However, limited capacity at those offices often means residents are not assisted within a single day, compounding financial and logistical challenges.
The petition further notes that discussions around a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sassa and the Knysna Municipality have been ongoing since January, but delays at Sassa head offices have stalled progress. Residents say the lack of resolution has prolonged hardship in the community.
Strain on vulnerable groups
Petitioners report that the disruption has significantly increased financial pressure due to transport costs, while long-distance travel - often under unsafe or difficult conditions - has become routine.
Elderly and vulnerable individuals are said to be particularly affected, struggling to access critical services and facing uncertainty over the timing of social grant payments.
The document argues that the situation undermines the constitutional right to access social assistance and disproportionately impacts those most in need. It also points to an apparent lack of co-ordination and urgency between authorities involved in resolving the issue.
Calls for immediate action
Residents are calling on Parliament to urgently investigate the absence of Sassa services in Knysna and to accelerate the finalisation of the MOU. In the interim, they are demanding the implementation of temporary service solutions within the town.
The petition further urges authorities to establish a permanent, fully functional Sassa office in Knysna and to provide clear timelines and accountability measures to ensure the restoration of services.
"We submit this petition in the interest of dignity, fairness, and equitable access to public services for all residents," the document states.
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