Suspension of old age pensions - parliamentary statement (17 May 2005)It seems that in the process of sorting out social grant corruption a number of people have had their pensions suspended without any warning or notification.
The UDM condemns this harsh and unfair administrative action. People, often from very poor households, arrive at the pension payout point only to discover that their pensions have been suspended and that they must now reapply. Where they must get the resources to survive until the new application seems of little concern to the officials involved.
Surely it is not too difficult to inform people that they need to reapply without summarily suspending their pensions? These pensions are often the only income for large households and mean the difference between eating and starving. This approach to beneficiaries of pensions shows a complete lack of compassion and humanity.
The UDM calls on the Minister of Social Development to immediately address this matter.
