SAHRC warns against illegal social grant deductions

File photo: Reuters

File photo: Reuters

Published Jul 14, 2016

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Cape Town - Companies that prey on the vulnerability of the elderly by making unlawful deduction on their old-age grants may face the full might of the law.

The Human Rights Commission of SA (SAHRC) said it would not rule out litigation against the culprits.

Karam Singh, the commission's provincial manager, made the statement during advocate Bokankatla Joseph Malatji, the SAHRC commissioner responsible for disability and older persons, visit to the Monte Rosa Home for the Aged.

“People tend to prey on the vulnerability of the elderly. We work together with the Department of Social Development and those caught stealing from the elderly might face litigation,” she said.

Malatji was appointed as a full time commissioner at the SAHRC in 2009 and is currently responsible for monitoring compliance in two focus areas - disability and older persons.

Clive van Zyl, manager at Monte Rosa, gave Malatji a tour of the home and explained how the residents were taken care of. The complex is home to 115 residents, 35 of whom are wheelchair-bound. It was built in 1895 and has a ramp and lift .

The commission's visit was prompted by reports that the elderly in old-age homes had difficulties coping.

Some of the complaints received by the commission highlighted systemic problems relating to equality, and the disability of older persons. Between April 1 last year and March this year, equality related complaints have represented the single-largest proportion of complaints received, followed by disability-related complaints.

Malatji said:”The elderly usually complain about not getting their medication on time and infrastructure and, as the SAHRC, we strive to do our best to help them.”

People also complained about transport, access to health care and housing.

Singh said the overall aim of Wednesday’s visit was to promote the work of the commission, and entrench a human rights culture in the province.

“The specific objectives of the provincial visit will be to monitor compliance of various institutions to the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities as well as the Older Person's Act. older persons Act. Another issue that the elderly face are unlawful deductions taken out of their social grants.”

Annamaria Blanckenberg, who has been living at the home since 2010, has served on the house committee protecting the rights of her house mates. “We raise all our issues in the meetings and, luckily for us, they attend to all our needs.”

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Cape Argus

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