All it took was a SASSA eMkhondo prayer session and a two-week break to get South African Social Security Agency staff to reopen the regional office. This follows several incidents of bizarre rituals taking place in the eMkhondo (formerly Piet-Retief) office in Mpumalanga, reports The Citizen.
In the aftermath, the agency also felt compelled to offer free-of-charge counselling services to all affected employees through its SASSA wellness programme. But what exactly took place?
SASSA EMKHONDO PRAYER SESSION
The SASSA eMkhondo prayer session was a way for employees to cleanse themselves following unsavoury rituals allegedly caught on CCTV camera at the offices (see below). Footage allegedly shows two SASSA staff members and three men believed to be traditional healers, in the office after hours. And according to reports, staff found needles scattered on the floor daily.
The discovery prompted the temporary closure of the office, pending a full investigation into the after-hours goings-on. Agency employees were able to continue their work at an alternative venue, the eMkhondo community hall. Furthermore, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, Mpumalanga MEC for Social Development said a SASSA eMkhondo prayer session was hosted by church leaders and other faith-based organisations.
DEEP CLEAN AND FUMIGATION REQUIRED
Following the SASSA eMkhondo prayer session, Mpumalanga spokesperson Senzeni Ngubeni confirmed that everything was back to normal this week. Services have been restored at the regional offices following fumigation and a deep cleaning. Likewise, for surrounding communities, the offices are operational and receiving clients once again, confirmed Ngubeni.
According to the spokesperson, the matter was still under investigation. It is unknown what transpired and whether the SASSA staff involved would face censure. “It’s a matter we must process phase by phase,” said Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu. She reiterated that while she understood the employees’ concerns, the department could not afford any disruptions to services.
If this story of traditional healers in SASSA offices has you freaked out, below is a list of all nine provincial offices who will be able to direct you to a regional one near you:
| SASSA Office | Physical address | Phone number | Email address |
| SASSA House (Head office) | 501 Prodinsa Building, Steve Biko Street, Pretoria | 0800 60 10 11 | grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za |
| Eastern Cape | BKB Building, Merino Road, Quigney, East London | 5200 043 707 6300 | eccustomercare@sassa.gov.za |
| Gauteng | 28 Harrison Street, Johannesburg | 011 241 8320 | grantsenquiriesgp@sassa.gov.za |
| Mpumalanga | 18 Ferreira Street, Nelspruit | 013 754 9446 | grantsenquiriesmp@sassa.gov.za |
| Limpopo | 43 Landros Mare Street, Polokwane | 015 291 7509 | customercarelim@sassa.gov.za |
| North West | 1st Industrial Site, Mahikeng | 018 388 4006 | grantsenquiriesnw@sassa.gov.za |
| Free State | Cnr St. Andrew Street & Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein | 051 410 8339 | grantsenquiriesfs@sassa.gov.za |
| North West | Perm Building, 33 Du Toitspan Road, Kimberley | 053 802 4919 | grantsenquiriesnc@sassa.gov.za |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 1 Bank Street, Pietermaritzburg | 033 846 3324 | grantsenquirieskzn@sassa.gov.za |
| Western Cape | Golden Acre, Adderley Street, Cape Town | 021 469 0235 | grantsenquirieswc@sassa.gov.za |
NEXT READ: HOW millions of SASSA social grant recipients are tripling their income
What do you think of the SASSA eMkhondo prayer session following the bizarre incidents that took place? Are you familiar with traditional healers and what they may have been doing in the offices? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.
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