Report pension grant fraud
Minister urges the elderly to stop spending their pension grants on alcohol, but use the money to entertain themselves.
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has called on the elderly, whose pension grants are being withdrawn without their consent, to submit affidavits to South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials.
She added that if they had submitted affidavits and had not received any feedback, then they should speak to the department to make a follow up.
The Minister was speaking during a commemorative event to mark the International Day of Older Persons at the Laudium Community Centre on Thursday.
Minister Dlamini used the platform to interact with senior citizens.
The 2015 International Day of Older Persons was observed under the theme: “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment”.
It focused on the impact of the new urban environment on older persons, as well as the impact of older persons on the new urban environment.
During the interaction, the Minister challenged senior citizens to start writing books and telling the stories of their own experiences, so that young people can learn from them.
“We want you to motivate young people so that they can stop abusing you, stop using drugs and stop taking money from you,” she said.
She further urged the elderly to stop spending their pension grants on alcohol, but use the money to entertain themselves.
During the event, Minister Dlamini showered one of the senior citizens, 102-year-old Lalita Joshi from Laudium, with toiletries, blankets and a fruit basket.
She also honoured 22 struggle veterans from Atteridgeville and the elderly women who live in Laudium and the surrounding areas who participated in the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings against pass laws.
The event marked the beginning of Social Development Month, which runs throughout October. Social Development Month aims to engage communities to identify their challenges and put together action plans to deal with these challenges.
The campaign, held in conjunction with the National Development Agency (NDA) and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), also aims to inform communities of the various social security programmes available to them and how these can be accessed. – SAnews.gov.za
