President Ramaphosa said he was saddened by the passing of three pensioners who died while collecting their retirement old age grants across the country.
This follows the intervention by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to help the elderly and grants recipients to
Cope with the effects of COVID 19 pandemic, which has left the entire country on lockdown.
However, three elderly recipients died at three different payments centers in Kwazulu Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape.
According to the statement, one had collapsed immediately after stepping out of taxi, from collecting the grant, while another had died in the vicinity of the payment centre.
In a statement released today, President Ramaphosa said he was saddened by the incidents, and he urged all pensioners and all grant recipients not to rush collecting the grants, indicating that the money would still be in their accounts even after the day it was allocated.
“It is very sad that we have lost three senior members of our community on a day that government provided services earlier than usual for the benefit of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“This is a difficult time for all South Africans and the loss of these three elderly persons reminds all of us to take the best care we can of vulnerable people around us,” the President said.
He said government, especially the Department of Social Development also appreciated the offer by ASSUPOL to assist with funeral arrangements for the deceased.
