Pensioners given the run-around

CATHERINE SASMAN

An elderly couple claim to have been given misleading information about re-registration for state pensions last week.

The couple, preferring anonymity, say they went to the pension office on Mercedes Street in Khomasdal to reactivate their old-age pensions.

They say they were told by an official [name withheld] that they could only show proof of life on or after their birthdays and not a minute earlier.

“My wife and I always try to show our proof of life as early in the year as possible. We were told that we should go back to the office only when we have our birthdays. The official was simply too lazy to process the re-registration,” the elderly gentleman said.

He said this was the first time that he has been turned away.

“She [the official] simply lied about this,” the irate pensioner said.

Albert Biwa, deputy director of social welfare in the Ministry of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, suggested that the couple, as well as other disgruntled customers, report their complaints to his office.

He said the directorate reviews the pension payout process once or twice a year.

The spokesperson of the ministry, Lot Ndamanomhata, said the standard procedure is that pensioners or the procurators (those receiving pension on behalf of the pensioners who might be unable to pick up their social grants due to illness or other impediments) should show proof of life every third month.

This, Ndamanomhata said, is to ensure that the intended beneficiaries are still alive and are in fact receiving money due to them.

Biwa, however, said proof of life should only be provided once a year.

Biwa said it is only required that the “authentic” pensioner collects his or her pension payout every three months - as proof of life - in cases where a procurator otherwise picks up the money on behalf of the pensioner.