SASSA eMkhondo prayer session aids ‘traumatised’ staff

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

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WATCH: An employee of SASSA in Piet Retief in Mpumalanga province allegedly brought in a sangoma to the offices to perform rituals in the thick of the night. The sangoma is seen performing the rituals on several workstations. The offices have since been closed after witchcraft fears by staff. @ScrollaAfrica

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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.

SASSA OFFICE CONTACT LIST

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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