CAPE TOWN – Political leaders and civil rights organisations have demanded urgent national intervention to address systemic failures at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offices following the death of a seven-month-old baby at a Bellville clinic on Tuesday, 17 February.
The infant died shortly after arrival at a clinic in Reed Street after becoming seriously ill while the child’s mother was queuing at a local SASSA office for social grant services.
This follows after the mother allegedly spent the night before in the queue with the baby to be helped the next morning.
The People’s Movement for Change (PMC) has called for immediate corrective action by SASSA and the Department of Social Development, highlighting what it describes as capacity failures that force vulnerable residents to wait days for assistance.
On a live Facebook video on Tuesday evening by the PMC stated that people are sleeping overnight outside SASSA offices to secure places in queues, with some bringing blankets and pillows. The organisation noted queues consisting of young people, elderly individuals, disabled persons and sick people, some of whom go hungry whilst waiting.
“We observed people arriving with bedding and vulnerable persons waiting in poor conditions,” said PMC representative Zandre Allen. “This is a violation of human dignity.”
During evening visits to SASSA offices along with their president, Marius Fransman, PMC volunteers distributed food to those waiting in queues.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Western Cape Social Development spokesperson Wendy Kaizer-Philander expressed condolences for two recent deaths at Western Cape SASSA offices – the three-month-old baby in Bellville and a 52-year-old man in Paarl East.
“Overcrowding and long queues are creating unsafe conditions,” Kaizer-Philander said. “There are severe staff shortages with some offices operating with skeleton staff.”
She highlighted the lack of basic amenities at service points, including inadequate shelter, seating, water provision and proper queue management systems.
Proposed solutions
PMC has called for the establishment of a formal partnership framework with non-governmental organisations and community groups to operate recognised SASSA Support Desks.
The organisation recommends deploying mobile units and temporary service sites in partnership with communities, expanding frontline staffing and increasing service counters at high-pressure branches.
Other proposals include strengthening queue and appointment systems, improving public communication about requirements, and creating priority service streams for elderly people, those with disabilities and urgent cases pre-screened by accredited NGOs.
The DA has called for urgent implementation of structured appointment systems, covered waiting areas, priority access for vulnerable groups, and increased staffing during peak periods.
SASSA expressed condolences to the child’s family and praised staff for their quick response in helping transport the child to the clinic when ambulance services appeared delayed.
The agency indicated it would provide full cooperation with necessary processes and remains committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of all beneficiaries accessing its offices.
Bellville Police confirmed attending to the incident at the medical facility. Western Cape Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said the infant died while waiting in the queue at the clinic after the mother noticed the baby was unwell.
The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation.
Second recent death
Last week, a 52-year-old man identified as Gerhard Williams died outside the SASSA office in Paarl East shortly after seeking services. It was later reported that the man had been struggling with health issues for an extended period.
The incidents have intensified calls for systemic reform of SASSA service delivery to prevent further tragedies at grant distribution points across the country.
