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Female officials from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) have been banned from working at the Msogwaba Tribal Authority offices in Mpumalanga because they wear trousers.

Co-ordinator for the Msogwaba Community Forum (MCF) Ronnie Matsebula said the officials were denied entry to the tribal authority last week.

“The Sassa officials were using an office at the tribal offices to register social grants and pension applications. After they disobeyed that order (not to wear trousers), they were moved to a building formerly used as a satellite police station,” said Matsebula on Monday.

Matsebula said there was a notice at the gate to notify all women not to enter the premises when wearing trousers.

“The notice states that a woman should wear a skirt and cover her head. Anyone who wears trousers must borrow (a kanga) from tribal representatives and cover their bottoms. Even white volunteers from the United Kingdom and the United States of America who visit here obey this law,” he said.

Msogwaba Tribal Authority headman Richard Masango said that this regulation was not limited to Msogwaba.

“All tribal authorities in the country apply this law and anyone disobeying will not be allowed to enter tribal premises,” said Masango. “The law was passed long ago… It’s a sign of respecting tribal leaders.”

Matsebula said after they were relocated, the Sassa officials started complaining about their new offices.

“They started arriving late, seeing less than 80 applicants per week, which is not acceptable. People arrive as early as 2am but end up not being seen. A woman was raped after she arrived alone around 2am,” said Matsebula.

He said following the rape of the woman, he spoke to Msogwaba chief, Hlungu Nkosi, who then raised R15 000 to renovate Sassa’s new offices and buy them furniture.

“But the Sassa officials still drag their feet; they arrive around 9:50am and leave at 3pm,” said Matsebula.

Sassa spokesman Senzeni Ngubeni said the matter had been referred to the relevant officials for clarity.

“The allegations that officials come late and leave early is an issue,” said Ngubeni.

He said the office hours were 7:30am to 4pm, but stressed that they were not open every day of the week..