Ward 36 councillor experiences hiccup with obtaining food vouchers
De Boer has also asked DA heads to intervene to try and speed up the process.
RESIDENTS of Ward 36 who were affected by the flood have not been able to receive Sassa relief distress vouchers to date, as the area’s councillor, Shontel de Boer is having difficulty accessing them.
“I have been trying for two weeks to get these vouchers but to no avail. I eventually went to the Sassa office at Durban Station myself where I was told that the vouchers had been collected by someone else allegedly pretending to be the Ward 36 councillor,” she said.
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When she asked the officials why proper identification was not requested, she says she was not given a proper answer.
The vouchers de Boer is trying to access are the Sassa temporary relief vouchers which are being provided to flood victims.
According to Sassa’s website, affected families are given grocery vouchers to the value of R1 200 per family or cash amounting to R3 960, either as food vouchers or cash to families who have lost a loved one.
School uniforms are also provided to learners who lost uniforms during the disaster. Girls may receive R2 700 and boys, R2 500 for uniforms.
“I met with Sassa officials from Pietermaritzburg at my office and explained the problem. They have assured me that the matter will be resolved soon,” she said.
De Boer provided officials with a list of people who are affected by the floods.
“There are a few hundred on the list and I am waiting for feedback,” she added.
She assured residents who were affected by the floods that she is working on the matter and once she has feedback, she will communicate with them.
“The people on my list are deserving of these vouchers. It’s important to note that only people who were affected by the floods are eligible to receive vouchers,” said de Boer.
Residents can contact de Boer via email on Shonteldeboer@gmail.com.
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