HE OFTEN heard residents from Umlazi, south of Durban, complaining about alleged corruption at Emaweleni Sassa offices.
Then he experienced it himself. The 42-year-old HIV-positive man, who also suffers from epilepsy, had applied for a disability grant. But his application was rejected.
Then an official who had been helping him at the offices allegedly told him that the doctor’s decision to deny him the grant could be reversed if he paid R5 000.
The unemployed man told Daily Sun that he reported the matter to the Sassa corruption unit. He also wrote letters to the KZN social development MEC, Weziwe Thusi, followed by several phone calls.
“Thusi has not responded to any of my letters and phone calls,” he said. “And Sassa has failed to treat the matter with urgency, as promised.”
He said at the beginning of 2014, he tested HIV-positive and was placed on treatment.
“All along I had no problem until the beginning of this year when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I was forced to quit my job as it was no longer safe for me to work.”
He said he had been burnt by boiling water twice as a result of his condition.
He said he suspected the problem with his application was not that he did not meet the standards.
“They probably dismissed it because they were hoping their corruption would work out.”
Sassa KZN spokesman Vusi Mahaye said: “Investigations are continuing.”
Social development spokesman Vukani Mbhele said: “We are going to liaise with Sassa to find a solution to this man’s problem.”
