By Akani Nkuna
The Congress of SA Trade Unions has welcomed the National Assembly’s passage of the Older Person Amendment Bill, describing it as a progressive step towards protecting the rights and dignity of elderly citizens.
The Bill aims to ensure that the elderly can retire safely and are shielded from abuse in care facilities or at home.
Cosatu said that the legislation addressed the widespread neglect and mistreatment that many older people continued to face.
“An important part of our efforts to build a more caring society, is ensuring the most vulnerable are protected from abuse and the elderly can retire in comfort and dignity,” said Cosatu parliamentary coordinator Mathew Parks in a statement on Wednesday.
“We are pleased (that) the government led by the African National Congress has driven this long overdue intervention to protect the safety and dignity of the elderly and affirm their fundamental constitutional rights.”
Introduced in May 2022, the Bill aims to strengthen the original legislation by addressing gaps identified through years of implementation. It responds to growing concerns over elder abuse, poor care services and financial exploitation.
Although initially processed by the 6th Parliament, the Bill lapsed at the end of its term and was later revived by the National Council of Provinces in December 2024. It was passed by the National Assembly on 3 Tuesday and must now be promulgated by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Parks said that key provisions in the Bill included stricter oversight of old age homes, protection of seniors’ assets from exploitative relatives, mandatory reporting of abuse and the provision of safe temporary care for victims removed from harmful or abusive environments.
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