Lerato Mbhiza
Elderly men and women in KwaZulu-Nata’s Zululand District Municipality are living in fear of drug addicts and have pleaded for assistance because drug addicts break into their houses and steal their social payments and valuables.
Speaking during the weekend public hearings on the Older Persons Amendment Bill in Ulundi, the elderly said the attacks are common on the days they receive their social payments, and it is even worse for those who live alone or with little children.
Older persons’ rights activists and those who run old age centres appealed for more public awareness about dementia and its effect. The NGO said people need to be educated about this mental health issue which afflicts mainly the aged and stop labeling and attacking afflicted people as witches.
There is also an appeal to review the R17,85 per meal, per day funding for old age centres. This amount has been in place for many years and food prices have gone up. They also asked for more clarity on the grant in aid, for social grants recipients who are unable to take care of themselves, and the indigent policy.
All the citizens who spoke during the public hearings supported the Bill and hoped that the proposed amendments will result in improved protection and care for older people.
The senior citizens also asked for some training in technology, especially on the use of banking apps, to avoid having their money stolen by their grandchildren when they ask for help.
Committee Chairperson Ms Nonkosi Mvana welcomed the inputs from the community of Zululand District and told the elders not to protect their abusive grandchildren and report them to the police. “We know that some of our elderly people are scared of their abusive grandchildren.
“They don’t even want to open cases against them. Please don’t keep quiet, don’t protect them if they abuse you; the law is here to protect you,” she said.
“The Older Persons Amendment Bill aims to strengthen the protection and prevention of abuse of older people, eliminate harmful traditional practices including witchcraft accusations against older people and recognise the responsibilities of older people in passing inter-generational knowledge and wisdom.
The Bill also seeks to make provision for the removal of older people to temporary safe care without a court order,” she added.
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