Gogo (80) mistakenly declared dead by Home Affairs to receive food parcels

The MEC for Social Development, Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana has intervened as the woman has not been receiving her Sassa grant for two years.

Johanna Adams (80) was mistakenly declared dead by Home Affairs and hasn't received her Sassa grant for almost two years. Photo: Department of Social Development

POLOKWANE – After media reports of a senior citizen who has not received her older persons grant for two years because she was wrongfully declared dead, the MEC for Social Development, Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana, urgently sent a task team from the Department and SASSA to investigate and intervene.

Johanna Adams (middle) with some of the parcels she received from the Department of Social Development. Photo: Department of Social Development

According to the spokesperson for the Department of Social Development, Kanakana Mantshimuli, Johanna Adams (80) was mistakenly declared dead by Home Affairs as it is believed she was sharing her ID number with another citizen.

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While the task team is dealing with the matter, together with the Department of Home Affairs, Johanna will be receiving food parcels and other assistance in the meantime.

Mantshimuli says SASSA has confirmed that she will temporarily receive the grant from September 2018, until her new ID is ready and she can give it to SASSA for processing.

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