Three elderly people passed away while on their way to receive their monthly social grants across the country.
The fatalities occurred in Cape Town, Soweto and Hammersdale (KZN) respectively.
According to Social development minister Lindiwe Zulu, one of the deceased Ellen Mbhele passed away shortly after jumping off a taxi which took her to the collection office.
According to a family representative, Vusi Mbhokane, the younger family members, Phumzile and Nokuthula Khezwa were called to the scene.
The family clarified that Mbhele’s death was not due to negligence or the lengthy queue.
Phumzile said; “It was time. It is just sad that this happened during this catastrophic coronavirus” .
Mbhokane explained that the family felt that the social media pictures and videos that have been doing the rounds have been traumatic.
“We would like to plea with people to get the facts straight on this. There is no body’s fault when it comes to this case. It happened just outside of the scope of the social development,” said Mbhokane.
Mbhele had no children of her own and leaves behind a sister, nieces and nephews.
The Gauteng Social Development Acting MEC Panyaza Lesufi, who visited the family today, comforted the Mbhele family and promised them that he will ensure that the grant Mbhele was going to collect is paid out.
“We had a session with the family. They raised some reservations of misinformation that was already in the public domain about what happened. We really believe in the courtesy of government to assist the family to have closure.
“On behalf of the Gauteng Government, we would like to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved family and wish them strength during this time of grief,” Lesufi.
