By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za

A few years back, the elderly from 76 villages under Collins Chabane Municipality in Malamulele, Limpopo, used to receive their grants in their respective areas.

But now, only a minority of the senior citizens from 10 villages in Malamulele receive grants where they reside.

The change, which oblige them to experience long and unbearable queues, made them feel mistreated and dejected by the people they put in power.

They argued that the old system was better and friendly. They are now asking that it be reinstated!

Their demand is contained in a strongly worded letter written by hundreds of senior citizens in Malamulele. They demand the government to review its decision of shutting down paypoints in villages.

According to Bishop Baloyi, a community activist, the elderly denounced that change, calling it injustice.

They said they were exposed to criminals and fraudsters at the same time.

“They demand services closer to their homes, as that is their constitutional right,” he said.

Baloyi said their delegate had alleged that most of them were victimized and targeted by criminal gangs and loan sharks. He said that it also made them prey on unscrupulous people because they feel endangered in Malamulele during the pay day.

When approached for comments, Thomas Khosa, the senior citizens’ delegate, said the mayor of Collins Chabane, Shadrack Maluleke had failed to respond to this distress.

Maluleke was not approached for comment at the time of going to press.

“The struggling pensioners, including those with severe forms of disabilities from the villages in Malamulele, are bound to receive social grant payments in the township.

“This is after the government closed the pay stations close to where they live,” he said.

Khosa said their freedom for security and safety as a vulnerable group in the society had been violated.

“Most of the grannies who can neither read nor write were left in distress. That was after the government cancelled contracts with private companies that were responsible for paying social grants in some parts of Limpopo.

” Some have died in long queues at Banks amid high temperatures,” said Khosa.

Khosa, a member of 12 Tribes of Israel, a Rastafarian group in his area, has called on the national government to intervene immediately.

He argued the government had the responsibility of caring for the senior citizens.