Violence erupts over food vouchers at Mahikeng SASSA offices
The offices of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have had to be closed after violence erupted on Friday.
According to SASSA spokesperson Nthabiseng Mosieleng, the situation got out of hand when the community threw stones at staff members.
It is alleged that some community members reacted with fury when they realised they did not qualify for Social Relief of Distress Grants (SRD).
The SRD grants are for families who are in distress over a short period of time.
"People came to the office with the understanding that the vouchers are meant for people that are unemployed. We've been experiencing large numbers and we've been able to control them even though they were very violent.
"So yesterday the situation got out of control, where community members were very violent and throwing stones at staff members," says Mosieleng.
A social media message doing the rounds, has encouraged people to go to SASSA offices and apply for vouchers.
This has resulted in the high influx of people heading to the social grants offices.
"What is happening is that on Monday, we have been experiencing an influx of people coming to the office to come and apply for vouchers.
"We understand there has been a message that has been circulating on social media encouraging people to go to SASSA to go and apply for vouchers," adds Mosieleng
SASSA plans to re-open their office doors on Mahikeng on Monday, however police will be present to monitor the situation.