The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says it has revived its food relief programme after the programme was disrupted by the recent unrest in some parts of the country.
The agency in a release said, instead of food parcels, it currently provides vouchers for social relief of distress which is redeemable at selected service providers.
It added that the looting of service providers food stock and infrastructure at KwaZulu-Natal has led to the halting of this kind of service in that province which has worsened the situation of vulnerable and needy families who don’t have a means of income and rely on government interventions.
In other parts of the country SASSA will continue to provide social relief of distress in the form of food vouchers to needy families.
The relief is provided as part of the standard social relief of distress programme administered by SASSA in terms of the Social Assistance Act.
The criteria states that if you are already in receipt of a grant you don’t qualify for social relief of distress, and an application, supported by documentary evidence, is required for each person requiring support.
“SASSA is calling for calm as it works around the clock to restore this food relief programme countrywide in this hour of need. We also appeal to communities to spare a thought for the vulnerable at all times because they bear the brunt of this unrest” said SASSA CEO Busisiwe Memela- Khambula.
