[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

The Department of Social Services, Population and Development in Mpumalanga is saddened by the death of a pensioner, Mr Joseph Nkosi, aged 75 years of Tweefontein, who passed away this afternoon.

Mr Nkosi went as usual to collect his pension grant this morning, returned home and went back to the pay-point to wait for his friend. He later fainted and died on the way to hospital.

As a Department, we would like to sincerely pass our condolences to the Nkosi family, on the sudden death of Joseph.

The Department promise to further look into the issue of long queues at pay-points, to make sure that our social grant beneficiaries are paid as fast as possible. This follows MEC E.M Coleman's instruction to the contracted company, Empilweni, late last year, to open up additional pay-points to avoid long queues. The MEC has vowed not to rest, until the issue is addressed. She has always committed herself to ensuring that our elderly people are treated with dignity and respect, and are being paid under conducive conditions.

Issued by the Department of Social Services, Population and Development, Mpumalanga, 6 March 2001